PRAYER in downtown

Refuge, protection, a safe place…that’s the LORD’s place, the only place that is really safe for those of us who are tired of the frontal assaults, and tired as hell of the incessant underground worminess. Oh, that God would just swoop in and adjust things, terrorize the whole lot of them with His Righteousness, His kindness and mercy and judgment and grace and justice all whipped up together as only He can. We forget, don’t we, that He is here…on the job, after all…his presence is all that we need, all that is required to pull us out of the net and into that redemptive vessel–something he has already done for us. We don’t always know his ways, his timeframes, but we place it all in his hands.

But, still we forget, we get bogged down again and again in all the muck and the negative, thinking that suddenly we’ll engineer some emergency rescue: “RIGHT NOW, GOD!” we scream out. After all, there we are–the laughingstock of neighbors, friends, co-workers, the passers-by. And they’re not just piercing us with their eyes, they’re drilling into our whole reputation, hoping for the kill. Oh, to have your face turning this way, LORD. Turn your face and just listen to our situation, because then we’ll know, we’ll remember, the promise of your presence and your righteousness. Then we can go on…forever–faithfully, certain that the enemy cannot reach us here in your refuge. Safe, just like we always were, always will be.

Let us pray.
Dear LORD, don’t forget us—we who are oppressed by all sorts of evil. We desire faithfulness, yet stumble as we are tossed about. Grant us your grace and your mercy. Send your righteousness into this place, that we may be rescued and placed into your arms forever. We thank you and praise your name for all that You are and all that You do for us. We know that you love us, but at times we find it hard to believe. Help us, rescue us, shine your face upon us, take us into your place where we will be safe forever. We’re counting on You, LORD, You alone. There is no other. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.