Pray with me these words of Nehemiah when he learned of the ruined condition of his homeland, Israel.
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.” (Nehemiah 1:5-7)
“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’” (Nehemiah 1:8-9)
Lord, give us the same humility that Nehemiah demonstrates. A humility that causes us to recognize our own sin, our own wickedness. You have called us, as Your Church, to be salt and light in the world and we have too often abdicated our role. We have prioritized ministry that focuses on our internal wants and needs, at the expense of those outside. Lord, forgive us. We repent for allowing fear and greed to prevent us from living as we ought.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:7-9)
Turn our hearts back to You, and may we find our confidence in You and Your way. We know that our salvation does not come from political parties, earthly power or worldly institutions. Give us the conviction of the Psalmist.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)
Lord, give us eyes to see our world and our nation through your eyes. Remind us that the people we see are not the source of the battles we face. Lift our eyes beyond what and who we see physically, and help us to see spiritually.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)
We pray that You would unite us. That You would keep us mindful of our frame, mindful of our limitations; cause each of us to be conscious of our inability to see any situation in its entirety. Reinforce in us the recognition that we need each other, even in our disagreement, to see the full picture. Remind us that each brother and sister is a gift from You.
Father, from Creation, you have established the uniqueness of mankind and the value of each human life. Father, you have also taught us through Your Son how we are to treat each person. Remind us of His words.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. “(Matthew 5:43-45)
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
In Leviticus 19:33-34, You instruct us, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Father, empower us to reflect Your heart for the marginalized. Align our words, thoughts, and actions to be consistent with Jesus’ call for love, even with our enemies. Remind us of Your words about Your mission.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)
Father, help us to see You and Your Son when we see the least of these. Cause not only our hearts to be moved, but also our hands and feet to take action to relieve the suffering.
Allow us to be those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, show hospitality to the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the prisoner. And each time we do, help us to see You even more clearly. Amen
Submitted by Reginald White, and written by Reginald White and Eleanor Tracey of Church on the Way, Longwood, FL.
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