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Honoured Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: US
Posts: 1,914
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Thanked 1,107 Times in 992 Posts
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re: Power of Prayer >No Matter Which Faith YouFollow=GOD is With You
Dear Lord,
We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy
eye and think, What a horrible dream. How could this have happened?
Just a moment ago moms were packing school lunches. Just a moment ago
chefs were planning the day’s menu. Just a moment ago arenas were noisy,
brides were walking down the aisle, and neighbors were discussing the
weather.
In just a moment, everything changed. A phantom disease invaded our peace,
our plans, and our security. In a heartbeat our language and behaviors
were upended. Even young children understand the term “social distancing,”
“quarantine,” and “Covid-19.” Grandma isn’t allowed visitors in her
nursing home. Workers are telecommuting, zooming, and skyping in their
baseball caps and slippers. Handshakes and hugs have been put on indefinite
hold.
This strange season has introduced a level of fear we haven’t seen since
9/11. Fear of what might come. Fear of touching. Fear of exposure. Fear of
what we can’t see.
We are anxious, Father. And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help;
we beg you for it. We don't request; we implore. We know what you can do.
We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, “Do
it again, Lord. Do it again.”
Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us.
Do it again, Lord.
Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel
of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again.
And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his
fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope.
The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter
the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went
from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need
counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again,
dear Lord.
What we’re seeing on the news, you saw on that Friday so long ago.
Innocence interrupted. Goodness suffering. Mothers weeping. Just as the
darkness fell on your Son, we fear the darkness falling on our friends, our
family, our world. Just as our world has been shaken by a disease, our
world was shaken the day the very child of Eternity was pierced.
You saw it. But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After your
Son’s three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth
and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord.
Grant us another Easter.
We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Selfless acts of
service and kindness warm our hearts. Strangers see opportunities to share
with others. Our medical warriors are working together, at personal risk,
to care for the rest of us. We thank you for their remarkable commitment.
And we see the world turning to you, Father. People encouraging people
with scriptures and reminders of your sovereignty. We read posts urging us
to respect each other, care for each other, and look up. We confess we have
been anxious, but because of you, we have hope.
We ask, Father: let your mercy be upon all who suffer. Grant to those who
lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the
souls who have been hurt by this disease. Give us grace to help each other
and faith that we might believe.
And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've used her to
heal a hurting world.
Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Through Christ, Amen.
Prayer by
Max Lucado
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I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4
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