Word for Today, Fri, 14 Sep 2001: National Day of Prayer

#1 · September 14, 2001, 11:22 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on September 14, 2001, 11:22 pm
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Today has been declared a U.S. National Day of Prayer, in
recognition of the recent events. My local church in Concord, NH
chose to have a time of silent prayer. On the screen in the
front of the sanctuary, there was a display with suggested
passages. I wrote down a few of them, and came up with several
of my own.

One passage mentioned was from Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the
nation whose God is The LORD...". Another passage stated "The
LORD is near to those who call on Him..." (Psalm 145:18). A
third significant passage mentioned is Matthew 5:44, which
reminds us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute
us. Now that is probably something that not many have thought
much about! But Jesus spells that out as the way to be
distinctly different, taking on the manner in which God Himself
treats us.

That prompted me to think about the Old Testament prophesy, from
which Jesus derives the principle: Micah 6:8. You may wish to
look up that passage if you are not already familiar with it.
Try using an online resource, such as bible.crosswalk.com
or bible.gospelcom.net if you do not own a bible. While
you're at it, look up Micah 7:18. I used all of these passages
today as part of my overall attitude preparation. These are just
examples of useful scripture, but I found them useful.

I had heard that one of the mid day services was going to use
Psalm 55 as their text. So I took the time to look at that text,
and found it to be pertinent, but I found Psalms 56 and 57 to be
equally relevant to the recent tragedies. I have included all
three chapters, Psalm 55-57 from bible.crosswalk.com, using the
New Living Translation as the source.

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by
stringed instruments. Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore
my cry for help! 2 Please listen and answer me, for I am
overwhelmed by my troubles. 3 My enemies shout at me, making
loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me, hunting me
down in their anger. 4 My heart is in anguish. The terror of
death overpowers me. 5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can't
stop shaking. 6 Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I
would fly away and rest! 7 I would fly far away to the quiet of
the wilderness. Interlude 8 How quickly I would escape far
away from this wild storm of hatred.

9 Destroy them, Lord, and confuse their speech, for I see
violence and strife in the city. 10 Its walls are patrolled day
and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness
within the city. 11 Murder and robbery are everywhere there;
threats and cheating are rampant in the streets. 12 It is not an
enemy who taunts me I could bear that. It is not my foes who
so arrogantly insult me I could have hidden from them. 13
Instead, it is you my equal, my companion and close friend. 14
What good fellowship we enjoyed as we walked together to the
house of God. 15 Let death seize my enemies by surprise; let the
grave F41 swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within
them.

16 But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. 17
Morning, noon, and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the
LORD hears my voice. 18 He rescues me and keeps me safe from the
battle waged against me, even though many still oppose me. 19
God, who is king forever, will hear me and will humble them.
Interlude For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not
fear God. 20 As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he
broke his promises. 21 His words are as smooth as cream, but in
his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but
underneath are daggers! 22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he
will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and
fall. 23 But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of
destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am
trusting you to save me.

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time
the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune "Dove
on Distant Oaks." O God, have mercy on me. The enemy troops
press in on me. My foes attack me all day long. 2 My slanderers
hound me constantly, and many are boldly attacking me. 3 But
when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 O God, I praise your
word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere
mortals do to me? 5 They are always twisting what I say; they
spend their days plotting ways to harm me. 6 They come together
to spy on me watching my every step, eager to kill me. 7 Don't
let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God,
throw them to the ground.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my
tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
9 On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will
retreat. This I know: God is on my side. F42 10 O God, I praise
your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word. 11 I trust in God, so
why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? 12 I
will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of
thanks for your help. 13 For you have rescued me from death; you
have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your
presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he
fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune
"Do Not Destroy!" Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to
you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until this violent storm is past. 2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. 3 He will send help
from heaven to save me, rescuing me from those who are out to get
me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and
faithfulness. 4 I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily
devour human prey whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above
the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. 6
My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have
fallen into it. Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your
praises! 8 Wake up, my soul! Wake up, O harp and lyre! I will
waken the dawn with my song. 9 I will thank you, Lord, in front
of all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your
faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above
the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTES: F41: Hebrew let Sheol. F42: Or By this I will know
that God is on my side.

The New Living Translation

bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?new=1&word=Psalm+55-57&section=0&version=nlt&language=en
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois
60189. All rights reserved.

Please continue to pray for:

- comfort and peace for those who mourn and grieve
- healing for those who hurt
- revival for the church worldwide
- protection for rescuers
- wisdom for our leaders

If you are looking for additional scriptures, try also reading
Psalms 27 and 34.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Today has been declared a U.S. National Day of Prayer, in
recognition of the recent events. My local church in Concord, NH
chose to have a time of silent prayer. On the screen in the
front of the sanctuary, there was a display with suggested
passages. I wrote down a few of them, and came up with several
of my own.

One passage mentioned was from Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the
nation whose God is The LORD...". Another passage stated "The
LORD is near to those who call on Him..." (Psalm 145:18). A
third significant passage mentioned is Matthew 5:44, which
reminds us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute
us. Now that is probably something that not many have thought
much about! But Jesus spells that out as the way to be
distinctly different, taking on the manner in which God Himself
treats us.

That prompted me to think about the Old Testament prophesy, from
which Jesus derives the principle: Micah 6:8. You may wish to
look up that passage if you are not already familiar with it.
Try using an online resource, such as bible.crosswalk.com
or bible.gospelcom.net if you do not own a bible. While
you're at it, look up Micah 7:18. I used all of these passages
today as part of my overall attitude preparation. These are just
examples of useful scripture, but I found them useful.

I had heard that one of the mid day services was going to use
Psalm 55 as their text. So I took the time to look at that text,
and found it to be pertinent, but I found Psalms 56 and 57 to be
equally relevant to the recent tragedies. I have included all
three chapters, Psalm 55-57 from bible.crosswalk.com, using the
New Living Translation as the source.

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by
stringed instruments. Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore
my cry for help! 2 Please listen and answer me, for I am
overwhelmed by my troubles. 3 My enemies shout at me, making
loud and wicked threats. They bring trouble on me, hunting me
down in their anger. 4 My heart is in anguish. The terror of
death overpowers me. 5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can't
stop shaking. 6 Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I
would fly away and rest! 7 I would fly far away to the quiet of
the wilderness. Interlude 8 How quickly I would escape far
away from this wild storm of hatred.

9 Destroy them, Lord, and confuse their speech, for I see
violence and strife in the city. 10 Its walls are patrolled day
and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness
within the city. 11 Murder and robbery are everywhere there;
threats and cheating are rampant in the streets. 12 It is not an
enemy who taunts me I could bear that. It is not my foes who
so arrogantly insult me I could have hidden from them. 13
Instead, it is you my equal, my companion and close friend. 14
What good fellowship we enjoyed as we walked together to the
house of God. 15 Let death seize my enemies by surprise; let the
grave F41 swallow them alive, for evil makes its home within
them.

16 But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. 17
Morning, noon, and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the
LORD hears my voice. 18 He rescues me and keeps me safe from the
battle waged against me, even though many still oppose me. 19
God, who is king forever, will hear me and will humble them.
Interlude For my enemies refuse to change their ways; they do not
fear God. 20 As for this friend of mine, he betrayed me; he
broke his promises. 21 His words are as smooth as cream, but in
his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but
underneath are daggers! 22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and he
will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and
fall. 23 But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of
destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am
trusting you to save me.

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time
the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune "Dove
on Distant Oaks." O God, have mercy on me. The enemy troops
press in on me. My foes attack me all day long. 2 My slanderers
hound me constantly, and many are boldly attacking me. 3 But
when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 4 O God, I praise your
word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere
mortals do to me? 5 They are always twisting what I say; they
spend their days plotting ways to harm me. 6 They come together
to spy on me watching my every step, eager to kill me. 7 Don't
let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God,
throw them to the ground.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my
tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
9 On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will
retreat. This I know: God is on my side. F42 10 O God, I praise
your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word. 11 I trust in God, so
why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? 12 I
will fulfill my vows to you, O God, and offer a sacrifice of
thanks for your help. 13 For you have rescued me from death; you
have kept my feet from slipping. So now I can walk in your
presence, O God, in your life-giving light.

1 For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he
fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune
"Do Not Destroy!" Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to
you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until this violent storm is past. 2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. 3 He will send help
from heaven to save me, rescuing me from those who are out to get
me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and
faithfulness. 4 I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily
devour human prey whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords. 5 Be exalted, O God, above
the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth. 6
My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have
fallen into it. Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your
praises! 8 Wake up, my soul! Wake up, O harp and lyre! I will
waken the dawn with my song. 9 I will thank you, Lord, in front
of all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your
faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 11 Be exalted, O God, above
the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTES: F41: Hebrew let Sheol. F42: Or By this I will know
that God is on my side.

The New Living Translation

bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?new=1&word=Psalm+55-57&section=0&version=nlt&language=en
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois
60189. All rights reserved.

Please continue to pray for:

- comfort and peace for those who mourn and grieve
- healing for those who hurt
- revival for the church worldwide
- protection for rescuers
- wisdom for our leaders

If you are looking for additional scriptures, try also reading
Psalms 27 and 34.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
Donate cash, emergency relief information
dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/US/Emergency_Information/