Lord, we turn to you. We turn to you with pain, confusion, anger, and suffering. As we turn on the news, social media, and even talk to our neighbors, it seems we are surrounded by sorrow. We are weary, full of tears. The brokenness of sin around us, the hate in our world frequently, is too much handle, so we say, Lord, how long, How long Lord.
In your justice, rescue and deliver us; listen closely to us and save us. Be a rock of refuge for us, where we can always go. Give the command to save us, for you are our rock and fortress, Ps 71:2–3.
We grieve the loss of fellow image-bearers in our country. We hate the senseless murders of image-bearers, George Floyd and Ahmud Abrey, and Breonna Taylor. We grieve over the senseless loss of life of the three-year-old child shot to death here in Algiers. We are angered by the disregard of life in our country. We grieve over the murder of millions of babies, the disdain for the elderly, the big business of mass incarceration.
So we say we are grieved, that the hearts of men continue to perpetuate wickedness in this land. The evil of racism, murder, death, viruses doesn’t fit with your goodness. We hate its presence in the world. We know that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34.
So we say, Let those who seek to kill be disgraced, Let those who seek to kill others be disgraced and confounded; let those who wish harm be turned back and humiliated Ps 70:2. Let those who seek to cause destruction, bring division be halted and stoped by the hand of the Lord.
Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the power of the wicked.” Ps 82:3–4.
Lord, How long will your bride be marred by the sin of partiality, prejudice, and racism? How Long will your people take on the worldview of the culture, rejecting the truth, that you have called us to go to all nations, all ethnic groups to proclaim your glorious Gospel? Knowing that the vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, will be standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 7:9
How long, Lord, will your bride conform to the world system? Instead of being separate from the world in our response, in our anger in our ethic. How long will your bride waver between two decisions, desiring Jesus, but worshiping the world system?
God, your way is holy. What god is great like God? You are the God who works wonders; you revealed your strength among the peoples. With power, you redeemed your people, Ps 77:13–15.
Amid the turmoil, we will continue to believe that you are good, that you are God, and your purposes and plan will prevail. We will remember that you entered into our suffering and knew the way we should take. We will not forget that it is the Gospel that is the power of God unto salvation. We believe that Jesus rose again and will return, and every tear will be wiped away, where there will be no more suffering, injustice, hurt, or shame that you will judge rightly the living and the dead.
So, we continue to trust in our God; Our Help comes from you, the Maker of heaven and earth. Ps 121:2. So we will count it all joy when we face diverse trials. We will continue to hope because those who hope in you will never be disappointed. We will continue to proclaim Christ and him crucified and see our communities transformed with Christ’s love.
Now to him who is able to protect us from stumbling and to make us stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. Jude 24–25.
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