Ps 31:1-3-- To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defense to save me.
Lord, as we bring our petitions before you, help us to
remember that you are our Rock, our House of Defense, our King. We are a brash
and egalitarian people, and we often forget that a king must grant only the
petitions of his people that truly benefit his whole kingdom, and not merely
the pleas of favorites. And your kingdom stretches over all earth and time in many
hidden ways. So our first request is that we not be arrogant and presumptuous
in our requests.
Next we pray for wisdom for those who govern under you: for Jared
Longshore as he undergoes ordination exams, for our presbytery as they consider
launching King’s Cross, for honest men of God to step forward into eldership,
for the Greyfriars students in their studies. Nor do we leave out the civil
realm, for it is also under your hand: we request justice in the Wilson court
case, in Dobbs vs Jackson, and in the office of President Biden and those
around him. You have promised to deliver us from our enemies. Bow down your ear
and hear.
You have considered our trouble and known our souls in
adversity, so we request comfort, aid, and healing to our many sick and wounded.
The curse consumes us all in time, and this is a terrible evil, but some feel
its jaws swiftly and keenly. We ask you especially for those whose suffering is
long, or without hope, for our bodies are weak and tempt us to doubt your
goodness. Guard them and grant them healing and peace.
Your goodness is great and laid up for those that fear. Therefore we request peace for the God-fearers in difficult circumstances: our brothers in Eastern Europe, the singles and widows of our congregation, and all those you are testing. We ask that you grant them good courage and strength of heart. Show us your marvelous kindness, for we hope in the Lord, our covenant head, our king, and our Deliverer.
Amen.
(Delivered at CCD 03/27/22)
