Prayer for God’s Mercy
I miss my friends, I miss my life before all of this, and I keep wondering just when it’s going to end. It’s like the whole world has been put on pause and all we can do is wait and pray.
I’ve found that I don’t need answers. They’re not there anyway. I need God. I need His joy, His peace, His strength. I have to continually remind myself that He is good and He’s using this for good. And He’s still speaking to me in the midst of it.
In many ways, though He didn’t cause this, He’s using this virus to bring the world to its knees. He’s reminding us who’s King and how quickly we can lose everything. The things I used to find fulfillment in have been taken away: people, work, entertainment, my own plans.
I have to submit to what He’s doing and let Him change me through all of this. That’s the point of trials, to transform us from glory to glory. In the crushing and the pressing, He’s bringing new wine. What the enemy meant for evil, God’s using for good.
There will be a day very soon where restaurants will reopen, people will go back to work, and the economy will stabilize. There will be a day when we look back and remember what life was like during a time that will make history books. But we should be changed after all this. In what specific ways, I can’t really say. I think it’s different for all of us.
For me, I’m reminded the kingdom of this world is faulty and failing. In a matter of weeks, everything can come crashing down. But God’s kingdom is strong and steadfast, one of order and peace, not chaos and disease. And it’s ever so close, just within my reach.
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth’.” Revelation 5:9-10
That’s ultimately the end of the story, isn’t it? That God’s people will be gathered together from every tribe and tongue and nation to reign upon their earth with their King. And it’s sooner than many of us think.
“Now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8
That’s something I think about often. When Jesus comes back, how will He find me? Filled with hope and faith in what He’s promised, or filled with disappointment and fear?
I believe God’s on the move, and I believe He’ll put an end to this very soon. But I do think there’s something very important we need to see and take hold of in the midst of this.
Psalm 85:4-13, Prayer for God’s Mercy upon the Nation.
“Restore us again, God our Savior,
and put away your displeasure toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger through all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—
but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.”
He promises peace, His salvation is near, and His glory will dwell in our land. Faithfulness will spring from the earth, and the Lord will give what is good. We will see a harvest. But righteousness must goes before Him. And what brings about righteousness? Repentance.
So I encourage you with this: keep praying, keep seeking, keep repenting on behalf of our nation. For repentance will bring forth righteousness, and righteousness will prepare the way for blessing.
