Ah, Lord God, today I awakened to news of Zimbabwe's key Christian leaders being arrested, jailed and severely beaten for attending a prayer meeting. Move me out of the miserable commercial self-interest that permeates our society today and create in me an alertness to Your Kingdom and Your purposes for Your people across the globe. Broaden the horizons of my interest and concern for my brothers and sisters throughout the world. O God, the people of Zimbabwe look for peace but they find no good, for a time of healing for their country, but there is terror instead. For the hurt of Your people, I am hurt. I mourn and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no Balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there? Why then is the health of Your children not restored? How long, O Lord, how long?
Be good to these Your people, remember the covenant that was established long ago. Grant them a heart to worship You, and to do Your will with a strong heart. Open their heart to Your law and commandments and bring them peace. Hear their prayers, O God, and be reconciled to Your people. May they feel the prayers of the saints around the world on their behalf and be strengthened.
O Lord, Lord God, Creator of all things, You are awe-inspiring and strong and just and merciful. You alone are King and are kind. You alone are bountiful. You alone are just and almighty and eternal. You rescue Your people from every evil. Set free those who are imprisoned, look on those who are rejected and despised. Punish those who oppress and are insolent. Plant Your people on higher ground.
I pray that according to the riches of Your glory, You will grant them strength in their innermost being with power through Your Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith. May they be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. I pray they may have the power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth of Your great love. May they be filled to the brim and overflowing with the knowledge and love of Christ in their hearts. May they demonstrate that love in ways that defy all human understanding. Accomplish far more than I could ever ask or imagine on their behalf, O Merciful One, so that Your glory may be seen in Your people. Amen (2 Chronicles 10.7; Jeremiah 8.15, 21-22; 2 Maccabees 1. 2-6, 24-29; Ephesians 3.16-20)
No comments:
Post a Comment