I praise you Lord!

When?

During every tick of the second hand, every chime of the hour, every day of the week, every week of the month, and every month of the year.

Where?

On every square foot the sun touches from sunrise to sunset.  From north to south.  From east to west.

Why?

Because you are so high.  You are so exalted.  Your throne is so elevated.  You have to stoop to see the heavens and the earth.

But, you are also so low.  You draw near to the most humble human.  The man with nothing but dust to his name.  The woman with only tears for family.  You replace their pain with pleasure.

That’s why I praise you Lord!  I worship you at all times in all places because you are so high and so low.

[image]

Lord, the weak were worn down.

The powerful abused their position.

So you sent forth a king.

Through him you brought justice.

You lifted the lowly.

You collapsed those in control.

Now, Lord, send forth us.

Use us to bring justice to all.

[image]

Lord, because you are full of love and justice, I make this vow:

I will be blameless.

I will expel evil from my life.

I will rescue my neighbor from injustice.

I will remedy whatever is wrong in my home, my city, and my land.

[image]

Lord, no one can deny it.

You are in charge.

Your might and majesty are like the raging storm.

Before you cold mountains melt like hot wax.

Before you other “deities” tremble with dread.

And not only does your thunder roll.

So does your justice and mercy.

You are an awesome God.

[image]

There is none like you Lord!

Such splendor and strength!

May all the earth sing to you:

the families of the nations,

the fish of the sea,

the fields brimming with crops,

and the forests filled with creatures.

May your whole creation become a chorus whose song is you.

May my voice join creation’s chorus in praising you today.

[image]

I see this every day, Lord.

The widow, the immigrant, and the orphan.

How they fall victim to vile people!

The evildoers seek to exterminate them.

The arrogant assume you do not see and do not care.

But they are as senseless as they are selfish.

Does the Lord who crafted the human eye not also see all human activity?

I know you see what I see.

May your vision Lord lead you to right all that is wrong.

May no injustice go unnoticed by you today.

[image]

God, every time the powerful meet together, you take a seat at their table.

Though unseen, you see.

Though unaddressed, you address.

And you say to them, ”Strengthen the weak.  Stand up for the orphans.  Rescue the needy.  Pursue the wicked.”

But the powerful ignore your words.  They fail to consider your call.

Therefore, God, take charge.  Take over.

Do what they will not.

Strengthen the weak.  Stand up for the orphans.  Rescue the needy.  Pursue the wicked.

[image]

O God, we are your vine.

You removed us from dusty and hard dirt.

You replanted us into soft and moist soil.

Like the sun, your face warmed us.

Like the clouds, your grace watered us.

But evil people now trample on us.

Selfish people now stomp on us.

Save us, O God.

Drive away those who treat us like trash.

Make us once more green, strong, and fruitful.

[image]

The land lies devastated, Lord.

The bodies lie unburied, food for birds and beasts.

How long, O Lord, must we endure this?

Bring an end to our pain and to the powers that caused it.

Let your compassion come speedily.

Be the Shepherd we so desperately need.

[image]

O Lord, so many in power misuse their power.

They leverage authority to benefit themselves.

They only look out for number one.

But not you, Lord.

You use your authority to benefit others.

You look out for every one.

So, make the powerful like a lion with no teeth.

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.

[image]