Ensign: Prayer - The Nuclear Option
All
ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when
he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a
trumpet, hear ye. Isaiah 18:3
AN ENSIGN ON THE MOUNTAINS 24 January 2014
Two
months ago in the midst of an impending “government shutdown” (I
just mistyped that as government shotdown,
and I wonder if you and I would notice either one!) there was an
article I read where a counter-movement of last resort was proposed.
A prominent United States senator claimed he would resort to using
the “nuclear option” if the political party and interests he
represented were not able to get their way, and the author of the
article below
wrote about some historically documented effects of prayer to God. The one included at the article's end I printed out and I've prayed several times a week for a while now. It doesn't necessarily make me more spiritual or more in tune with God but the more I say it out loud, the heavier the words get. Maybe that's just me. But after a discussion I had with my kids in the back seat on our way home Monday night and getting into heaven and hell as very real places, I need prayer more.
I'd
like to share this particular one with you; adapt it how you want,
for God hear our prayers even when we have a hard time with the
words. Love, David
Oh great and awesome
God, You who keep Your covenants and have mercy upon those whom love
You and observe Your commandments,
We
praise and thank You for the blessings of liberty You have bestowed
on this country and we ask your forgiveness for being content to live
in our comfortable houses while Your house is being destroyed.
We
confess that our nation is guilty of complacency and apathy by
allowing the elevation of all the sins that are abominations to You
as we have stood silently by – intimidated to speak for the fear of
men.
Most
of all, we have not regarded You and we have taken the blessings You
have bestowed upon us for granted as something we deserve, earned,
and are entitled to.
But
you are a merciful God.
You
are the same God who looked for Adam and Eve in the Garden after they
sinned against You.
You
are the same God who promised to heal our land if we would humble
ourselves before you, pray, and seek Your face.
And
You are the same God who healed the snake bites of the Israelites in
the desert if they would only look to the symbol of Your healing
power that You provided for them.
And
You are the same God who tells us that if we turn to You with all our
hearts, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning, and rend our
hearts instead of our garments, that You are gracious and merciful to
forgive and heal.
Today
many of us have gathered together to give thanks to you and to
celebrate the many blessings You have bestowed upon us. Tonight we
are joining our voices in one accord to confess our national sins,
and to pray that You will mercifully spare us and not give Your
heritage over to reproach.
Today,
Dear Lord, we are looking to You for our nation’s salvation and to
preserve our liberties – not because we deserve Your mercy but
because You are merciful.
And
we pray, Dear Lord, that You will replace our apathy and complacency
with passion – passion for You and passion for righteousness. Light
Your fire within each and every one of us as we join together and
pray to You, Dear Lord, to save our land.
In
the name of the God of Heaven, Creator of the universe, together we
pray.
Amen.
P.S.
I write this weekly devotional to keep in touch with all of you in my
address book, and I hope to be an encourager to action too! If you
find that I'm not or you want me to get lost, just let me know --
thank you!
Thank You, Lord, that we can come to you in prayer and that You provide for all our needs, even when we don't know what they are. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem on both sides of the fence there and around the world.
Thank You, Lord, for everyone in leadership and service, both here and abroad. Thank You for the opportunities we have and the promise of new life through You. I pray that we all seek and have a blessed week! Amen.
Thank You, Lord, that we can come to you in prayer and that You provide for all our needs, even when we don't know what they are. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem on both sides of the fence there and around the world.
Thank You, Lord, for everyone in leadership and service, both here and abroad. Thank You for the opportunities we have and the promise of new life through You. I pray that we all seek and have a blessed week! Amen.
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