We are part of a profoundly broken world filled with wounded people. On days when a person around us - or the person inside us - suffers pain and unbearable anguish, we can easily be frustrated by our inability to change the circumstances or mitigate the suffering. We realize we have no power to help or bring lasting relief. However, as believers, we can seek the help of God! The Lord, the covenant God of Israel, who kept his promises, preserved his people, and produced his Messiah in the past, is the God who stands by us and those for whom we intercede today. Sure, there are moments when God seems not to be watching, listening, or intervening to provide care or deliverance. So, do we "keep a stiff upper lip," "suck it up and try harder," pretending we don't have fear, doubts, and anger? No! We honestly cry out to our Lord. He has redeemed, saved, intervened, and delivered his people in the past. We call on our Lord God, the same God, to do his work for us and those we love in our day. We pray: "Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless."
My Prayer...
God of hope, do not be far from us in our dark and menacing days. Please restore the joy of life and the hope for good things. Please give us comfort in our times of pain and anguish. Lift up your hand and act to bring repentance and renewal to our time, families, culture, congregations, and us. Out of your grace and mercy, please bring your healing and deliverance. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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