March 17

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Let's follow the man's example and pray for the salvation of our country today. From the prophet Isaiah, a man also dedicated to praying for his country, chapter 40 today:


Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge, or showed Him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; He weighs the islands as though they were dust.

Almighty Father God, we fall to our face in the light of who You are.

Before Him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by Him as worthless and less than nothing.

All our huffing and puffing, our drawing lines and building walls and conquering and claiming--meaningless before You.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

God who sees all and is all powerful, please help us with Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Sudan, a North Korean man set to martyr your people, Afghanistan, Iraq, a lost American pastor in Iran, with an airplane lost in the vast ocean, with people around the world who hate us simply because we claim Your name.

To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

When we focus on You, Lord, we cannot be afraid of man. Help us to trust in You. Remind us God that our warriors in Your hands are as safe in a helicopter in Afghanistan as they are on I-81 or in their own bedrooms. Grow our faith.

(from 41:8-13) God, You have chosen us to be Your people, Your royal priesthood, Your prophet and witness to our people. We cling to Your promise:
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant;' I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

For those of us taken to the ends of the world, and those of us serving You at home, may we be bold in our faith today. Use us in the harvest, Lord!

And for those of us just hanging on, thank You for this whisper in our ear:

He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.

To the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, we give praise. You will not grow tired or weary. We can never fathom Your wisdom. You give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. When we grow faint and stumble and fall, we hope in You, the Lord who renews strength. Thank You for letting us soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint.

Amen!