O LORD, those in power misuse their power.  They employ authority to benefit themselves.  They only look out for number one.

But not you, LORD.  You rightly use power.  You employ authority to benefit others.  You look out for every one.

So make them like a lion with no teeth.  Make them like a river with no source.  Make them like a slug with no shade.

Power them down.  And power yourself up.

Do this, and the world will know that there is a God.  The world will know that God cares. 

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When we stop seeking you, God, we start serving ourselves.

I’ve seen it again and again.  Person after person marginalizes you.  And before long, they marginalize those around them.

We simply do not love neighbor when we do not first love you.

When we write you out of the Story everyone suffers.

Especially you.

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You enjoy the company of those who treat people right–those who

tell the truth,

refuse to spread gossip,

act neighborly,

keep their word,

serve the poor,

and stand up for others. 

Those are the kind of people you strengthen and encourage.

I wonder–do you enjoy my company?

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For whom did Jesus pray?  We have 29 references in the Gospels to Jesus’ prayer-life.  Of these references, we have 10 actual prayers Jesus prayed.  For whom did Jesus pray?  If we could look at his prayer list, who would be on it?

While it’s almost certain Jesus prayed for many others, we do know he prayed specifically for four groups of people:

We find Jesus praying for children: 15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:15-16 ESV)

We find Jesus praying for the apostles/disciples:

• 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours… Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake  I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  (John 17:9-19 ESV).
• 31″Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. (Lk. 22: 31-32 ESV).
• 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.(Lk. 24:50-51 ESV).

We find Jesus praying for the church: 20″I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  (John 17:20-23 ESV).

And we find Jesus praying for his enemies: 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34 ESV).

In other words we find Jesus praying for those who cannot speak for themselves, those with whom he’s engaged in mission and ministry, those who make his life difficult, and those around the world who would follow him.  The forgotten, his fellow-laborers, his foes, and his international family.

Which of these four show up on your prayer list?  Which do not?  Why?  Why not?

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The word on the street, LORD, is that you stand up for those who have fallen down.

You have a reputation for helping the hurting.

You’ve never failed to fight for someone being mistreated and badly cheated.

And now, after what you’ve just done for me, I can testify that your reputation is in fact reality. 

I’m not going to stop sharing my story until the whole world knows what a great God you are.

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LORD, may today be a day of wrath. 

May you unleash your anger against all who cause injustice and against all who commit violence.

May every weapon in your arsenal be unloaded, every trigger pulled, so that evil is stopped dead in its tracks.

May justice win today.

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This morning I bow before you.  You are my King.  You are my God.  I lay my requests before you.  And I wait expectantly–knowing you will answer.

Today, LORD, defeat evil in whatever place it dwells and in whatever form it takes.  Let this morning be the last morning that violence, wickedness, and malice see.

And today, LORD, nurture good in whatever place it dwells and in whatever form it takes.  Let this morning bring hope, help, and haven to all who stand for what is right.

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Here is today’s prayer event:  31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. (Mark 7:31-35 ESV)

Jesus looked at a man needing help.  Then Jesus looked to heaven. 

Jesus saw this person.  Then he prayed.

He observed an individual.  Then he interceded.

What do you do when you see someone in need?  Look down?  Look away?  Look within?  Then next time you find yourself in front of a person in need, let your first look be to heaven.  Open your eyes today, and every  day left in these 40 days.  Each time you observe an individual requiring help, look to heaven and intercede.

SHARE WITH SOME OTHER READERS BELOW WHAT YOUR GUT REACTION TENDS TO BE TO PEOPLE IN NEED…

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And right now, I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck.  The thoughtless words of selfish people have hit me like a ton of bricks.

I wish, LORD, that they’d blow out of this town with the next windstorm.   I wish, LORD, that you’d treat them the way they treated me.

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So you sent forth a king.  Through him you brought justice.  You lifted up the weak.  You tore down the powerful.  You made right right once more.

Now, LORD, send forth us.  Let us be your agents of righteousness.  Use us to bring justice for all. 

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