Stronger than Darkness

“Praise the Lord, His mercy is more. Stronger than darkness, new every morn. Our sins they are many, His mercy is more.”

His Mercy is More, by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa ( Album: Getty Kids Hymnal: Family Hymn Sing)

“When the cacophony (a chaotic mixture) of universal distress unsettles us, remind us that we are but small and finite creatures… justice and mercy, healing and redemption, are your great labors.”

Daily Liturgy from “For Those Flooded by Too Much Information” (Every Moment Holy, Rabbit Room Press)

What a week it has been! Devastation. Disorder. Many times this week I have sat completely still, not being able to move, just sat in silence. Silence, something I take for granted so many times a day!

I find that the grumblings of our nation become almost repulsive in light of many other nations. I am guilty of these grumblings.

I have observed also the disheartening divisiveness among our leaders here in the US. Which in my opinion, only signals a government and nation in chaos, no longer UNITED, but just States of America.

So where have I landed in this divisive disorder?

Well, I have pulled out a resource that I love and refer to often when authority and leaders are concerning me. It is a small resource that I picked up a few years ago at the Billy Graham Library, “How to Pray for Our Leaders.” They come in a pack of 25, if you are interested, link below: (awesome resource to have – even for youth! start them young!)

https://bookstore.billygraham.org/how-to-pray-for-our-leaders-packs-of-25.html

I am a huge believer in prayer – you can’t do everything, but you can do something! And you can do a lot by praying! Here are a few of the prayers and scripture: (credit to the resource above for these prayers – I have quoted all scripture in the ESV)

• “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that he may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3
• Pray that we will have respect for our leaders. “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Love the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:17
• Pray for an understanding that all government authority is instituted by God. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1
• Pray for the knowledge of God’s Word. “The king’s heart, a stream of water in the hand of the Lord, He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1
• Pray for a compassionate heart for those they lead. ” Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
• Pray for hearts to be open to the Gospel, to hear and respond. “The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” Acts 16:14
• Pray for courage to do the right thing when all others are doing the opposite. “discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.” Proverbs 2:11-15 (All of Proverbs 2 is great to pray through)
• Pray that they will seek and accept wise counsel. “Where there is no guidance, people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22
• Pray that they will have humilities in their duties. “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward on another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” 1 Peter 5:5
• Pray for them to place their trust in God. “Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!” Psalm 21:7
• Pray for protection and blessing for their family. “Though they plan evil against you, though the devise mischief, they will not succeed.” Psalm 21:11 “That they may offer pleasing sacrifice to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.” Ezra 6:10
• Pray for protection from the influence of the evil one. “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
• Pray that they will see opinions that do not line up with His Word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119: 105
• Pray that God will give them wisdom and knowledge in making decisions. “May the Lord grant discretion and understanding.” 1 Chronicles 22:12

A few other prayers that I have been praying and would love for you to join me:

• The next generation of leaders- those who want and know these roles are where they belong – pray that they will not get discouraged by the current state of chaos. That they will press on, and go for what they know they are meant to do. And stick to their convictions!
• Pray for the words and tone used by our leaders. They are LEADers – leading with angry, argumentative tones- and language that I know even my political ancestors would be flabbergasted at- pray that these will no longer be acceptable, or become so obvious to them as a leader, that it will be the worst taste imaginable coming out of their mouth!
• Pray for the bullying to cease. It has trickled down to our children. They see it as acceptable for our leaders, adults, parents, teachers. The punishment for children is they are taking it upon themselves to decide whether the things are being said or true or not, filtering it all through peers, it’s fatal. Watch your words. Are they always negative? Argumentative? Any positive? It’s on us as adults to be the example. to LEAD.

These prayers apply to anyone, but especially our leaders. President, Vice President, Cabinet members, Senators, Representatives, Supreme Court, Military, Governors, Legislators, Mayors, Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs, City Council, School Board, Hospital and Medical Boards…

Simply Pray their names, their families names. There is no greater power than the name of Jesus!

Life Book of the Week: Found, by Sally Lloyd-Jones

Not all this week has been dark. A new life was welcomed into the world last night by the family friends I wrote about a few weeks ago. I was overjoyed and honored to be given the news! We celebrate this sweet new bundle of absolute joy! He always breaks through the darkness! And what a wonderful reminder he gives in welcoming a child!! I will forever celebrate every child! Blessing upon Blessings!