August 10, 2015

Praying with Psalm 89 this week:

Lord, teach us to pray.
Teach me to pray.
Through my attention-deficit, my laziness, my anxiety, my unwillingness to lay down my will, my incredible self-centered thinking.
Teach me to pray.

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever;
with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. 
I will declare that Your love stands firm forever, that You have established Your faithfulness in heaven itself.

Yes, Lord, turn my mind to You and Your great love!
The God who brought so many of our warriors home for so many years now. You gave us the victory.
The God who led us to our spouses and blessed us with children.
The God who has led us through PCS moves and trials and continues to make it well, over and over again.
The God who gave us Jesus, which makes it all good.

The heavens praise Your wonders, Lord, Your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than all who surround Him.
Who is like You, Lord God Almighty?
You, Lord, are mighty and your faithfulness surrounds You.

As the soldier watches the sun rise
And the sailor follows the stars
And the airmen fly through the clouds,
may they remember You. Lord, may our warriors turn to You.
May they trust in the One beyond the stars.
And may You see them, and protect them.

We pray for their needs, especially those who are deployed.
May they be getting enough sleep, and good food.
May they be working together well, and may they have friends.
May their transportation be safe.
May their missions be completed.
May You quiet their hearts, tame their fears.
May the Christian warriors and chaplains be shining their lights.
We pray for their leaders--from the Pentagon and the Chief of Chaplain's office down to the platoon leader--give them wisdom.

Lord, help them to live in the peace at home too.
Help them to find purpose and mission, while staying diligent.
Help them to find activities that are satisfying.
Help those who are retiring.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them...
The heavens are Yours, and Yours also the earth;
You founded the world and all that is in it...
Your arm is endowed with power; Your hand is strong, Your right hand exalted.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
love and faithfulness go before You.

Lord help us to be the help-mates our warriors need.
Help us to be the community that supports our hurting ones.

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You,
Who walk in the light of Your presence, Lord.
They rejoice in Your name all day long;
They celebrate Your righteousness.
For You are their glory and strength, and by Your favor You exalt our horn.
Indeed our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Teach us how to acclaim You, Almighty God. Change our marriages, our families, our communities, our chapels, our posts, our military.
Teach us to pray.