When reflecting on the several terrorist attacks both in our country and around the world, the people who have recently been killed by police and those who in turn have killed police officers, the disturbing race for the next President of the United States, and my own struggle with living in the flesh, my heart grieves at the ugliness and effect of sin on mankind.
While I would like to share some of my thoughts and feelings about these events, over this past week, each day the Spirit has led me to pray the prayer in Daniel chapter 9. And rather than sharing my opinions and feelings about these events and issues, for now I am to be still and to be more concerned with how I am following Christ in mission.
I realize there is a great battle between good and evil all over our world. And I realize that America is not God’s chosen people and that it is not the kingdom of God, but I’m going to invite you to pray this prayer with me as one who follows Christ…as often as you feel led to in these days of increasing godlessness:
“O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets [and to your Son, Jesus], who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.
7 “Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. 8 O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets [and his Son Jesus]. 11 All Israel [and the bride of Christ], has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.
“So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.… 13 Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true. Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth. 14 Therefore, the Lord has brought upon us the disaster he prepared. The Lord our God was right to do all of these things, for we did not obey him.
15 “O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness. 16 In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain. All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.
17 “O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary”… In Jesus name, Amen.
Grace to you and peace,
Mike Altena