November 11, 2013

They say if you want to know how popular the pastor is, go to Sunday morning service. If you want to know how popular the youth pastor is, go to the youth group. But if you want to know how popular Jesus is, go to the prayer service. I am so humbled-amazed-blessed to know you all are praying together for Ft. Drum and our world--standing in the gap for many. Sister warriors fighting on their knees. The Lord bless you as you seek His face.

If you just joined us: you can add prayers/amens in the comments. But do not use names unless you have their full permission. I cannot emphasize enough this is a PUBLIC site.

Abba, Daddy, we cry out to You for the Philippine people! God who loves, God who saves, God who cares, may You move freely across those islands and gather those people into Your arms. May help arrive quickly. May miracles abound. May the hardest of hearts turn to You. May Your people, including our Catholic brothers and sisters, be shining lights for their neighbors. May the rescue workers be safe and efficient. Multiply the efforts of Samaritan's Purse, our Pacific military, and others. May the witness of the Filipinos, telling of Your saving goodness, reach the world.

In You, Lord I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In Your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

Lord, our America was founded on Your name. Since the beginning, we have been a people who called on You, and You have been our refuge and our fortress. It was bought with sacrifice. And has been defended over and over again by our soldiers with Your hand. We thank You Father God for our sweet land. We thank You for our brave men and women who have delivered this country to us. Thank You for giving them the strength and the courage, the skill and the might. Thank You for the dominating force we have now. Who else conquers, only to relinquish the spoils and return the power? Who else has the valor and the honor of character? It is only because of You. Let us never forget.

For You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth....I will ever praise You. I have become a sign to many; You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all day long. Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, 'God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him...'

Yes Lord, since the beginning of this nation You have been our hope and this country bears Your name. Please forgive us for the many times we stray. Forgive me not only for doing wrong, but for sitting by silently instead of doing the right thing. Help us to be a sign, our mouth filled with Your praise.

Many are the enemies of our country, of our soldiers, God. Many times they are the enemy of You, waiting anxiously for our downfall. For Your name sake, Lord, please protect our warriors.
Protect their bodies...in the desert camps, flying through the air, in the vast oceans, in the jungles, in the mountains, by the thousands in brigades and the individual scout walking alone... Thank You for the amazing things we can do for the wounded. But truly only You can heal the wounds. Be with them.

Protect their minds...from the baby face private's first time away from home as he begins his training, to the hardened old general: You are the source of their training and skill.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare Your power to the next generation, Your mighty acts to all who are to come.

God, protect their hearts...We were not made to fight. Not created to see war. Father God help the soldier's heart...God of the heavenly armies, please fight against despair.
Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again, from the depths of the earth You will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.
Hope Lord! The private to the wizened veteran has to have hope. You are the only source. Use us as instruments to spread an epidemic of hope!

We will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, my God;
We will sing praises to You with the lyre,
The Holy One of Israel.
Our lips will shout for joy
when we sing praise to You
We whom You have delivered.
Our tongues will tell of Your righteous acts all day long,
for those who wanted to harm us have been put to shame and confusion.*

Thank You for our new babies on Fort Drum, Lord!
Thank You for our bustling ministries, and we pray for workers for the vast harvest.
Thank You Lord for sisters who pray.
Thank You for hearing us.

Amen.

*The italicized verses today are paraphrased from Psalm 71.