Psalm 48

Zion, the City of Our God

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. 

For behold, the kings assembled, they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. As we have heard, so we have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever.

We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! 

Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? That Your love is steadfast. I will grab that now and ask again that You continue to intervene on behalf of the least of these with regard to healthcare and budgets in this country. Now the republicans are again threatening full repeal of the Affordable Care Act. What they don't understand and what the CBO is not reporting to them is the number of people who do not buy insurance through the exchanges and buy insurance directly through insurance companies. A repeal would have the effect of over 300 million people being negatively impacted rather than just 22 million. God, these republicans are making me sick to my stomach and I am sorry I ever voted for republicans at any point in my short voting life. They claim to be prolife yet are more than happy to throw people in need off their insurance plans! And yes, for some of us, we would die if we did not have insurance. Because the drug companies have priced their products so high that those of us on life sustaining medications would never be able them without insurance! Mom says, "we'll find a way." But the way is impossible with limited income. We would have to lose our home and everything in it to have the way to afford the medicine every month if I lost insurance. The republicans are pissing me off, God. And I know that word is a strong word, but sometimes strong words are needed to drive the point home. Every delay on the votes for the worse than the ACA bills. Every no vote. Every failed vote. Every not going to happen vote. Those are answered prayers to me God. Because I pray for You to intervene on behalf of the least of these in this matter. I am praying Your heart that I read about in the words of Jesus and in the Bible. I hand this over to You again. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Psalm 26

I Will Bless the Lord

Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness.

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds.

O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. Do not sweep my soul away with the he sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes.

But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity, redeem me, and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. 

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? To follow You, I need to be willing to allow You to test both my heart and my mind. Your love is steadfast. You are faithful. Help me to resist the republicans. They have turned into men of falsehoods holding their hands out for bribes and trying to harm the least of these. Help me to continue to have integrity. Show Your grace to me. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Psalm 25

Teach Me Your Paths

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 

For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me to be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You will teach me Your paths and lead me in Your truth. You are the God of my salvation. You are merciful. Your love is steadfast. You are faithful. You are gracious. God, You know that which troubles me. You know my heart. You know my fears. You have a heart for the least of these. You will not allow republicans to take away their access to healthcare. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Psalm 21

The King Rejoices in the Lord's Strength

O Lord, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have gotten him his heart's desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a blazing oven when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, and their offspring from among the children of man. Though they plan evil against you, though they devise mischief, they will not succeed. For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows.

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power. 

Dear God, 

What would You have me learn from this passage? You will bless those who follow You closely. You will punish those who devise evil against You. Your heart for the least of these is made clear in Your Words. Those who devise evil plans devise evil against You. They will be punished in the end. You will not let them hurt the least of these. God, I ask You again to intervene on behalf of the least of these with regard to healthcare and safety nets that help them. I ask that You continue to provide for the least of these. I ask that You prick the hearts of the republicans who are trying to hurt the least of these. I ask that You cover the least of these with Your provision and Your blessings and Your protection.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Psalm 17

In the Shadow of Your Wings

Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!

You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.

They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.

Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Dear God,

What would You have me learn from this passage? God, You test my heart. You test my faithfulness to You. You answer my prayers. You hear my prayers. You love me. God, please keep intervening on behalf of the least of these with regard to the proposed budgets and the healthcare issue in this country. Please do not let the republicans hurt people.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

God Will Restore You to Health and Heal Your Wounds

"For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: 'It is Zion, for whom no one cares!'" - Jeremiah 30:17

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man." - Luke 18:2

"And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?" - Luke 18:7

"For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." - Luke 11:10

Dear God, 

You will restore me to health and heal my wounds. You are with me, within me, and all around me. You are continually at work in my life. Even when I may be less aware of You, Your presence continues to shine brightly on me. You are able to do more than I can ask or think. I will continue to ask for Your intervention to make sure the least of these do not get hurt by the republicans with regard to healthcare and safety nets. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Either Way, You Win!

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." - Psalm 143:8

Dear God, 

Even though it is Sunday, the problems related to the proposed budget of hate for the disabled, the elderly, and the veterans are still present as is the problem with regard to healthcare for the least of these. God, You say that You will take care of the least of these and that You want others to help take care of them. Yet everything the republicans are proposing is dangerous and harmful to the least of these. So God, knowing what the Scriptures say about Your heart for the least of these, I ask You to take these worries of mine and I ask that You intervene on behalf of the least of these every single day. And I may ask every day, but I know that You care and I know that You hear me. Or at least I hope that You hear me. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Waiting for Sleep

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning." - Psalm 130:5-6

"As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness." - Psalm 17:15

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

"The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory." - Isaiah 60:19

Dear God,

Waiting for rest. Rest that never seems to come. Rest that seems impossible to get when your country is in an active battle between good and evil. Rest that seems impossible to get when republicans are attacking the least of these at every turn. God, give me rest. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

At the End of the Day

And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." - Exodus 33:14

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-32

Dear God, 

Today I give You my worries over healthcare and budget issues that the republican monsters are using to try to harm the least of these. I give You my worries and thank You for the work that You will continue to do to protect the least of these. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Live Bravely!

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 31:24

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:15-17

"To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." - I Timothy 1:17

Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. - Hebrews 3:5-6

Dear God,

Your Spirit lives in me. I have everything I need to be strong and brave if I only just put my hope in You. Living bravely means doing the right thing even if no one else is. Living bravely is sticking up for those who cannot stick up for themselves. Living bravely is helping and serving others. Living bravely is telling the world about You even if I get made fun of. When I live bravely, you make me even stronger and even more courageous. God, in this politically charged environment in America where the republicans are constantly attacking the least of these on matters of safety nets and healthcare, help to unabashedly stand up for the least of these! 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

Close as a Whisper

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." - Psalm 145:18

"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." - Joshua 1:5

And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind was an earthquake, but the Lord was not int he earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.- I Kings 19:11-12

Dear God,

You say You hear me even in a whisper. Today I ask that You intervene again on behalf of the least of these who the republicans are trying to harm through the budget proposals in addition to the healthcare situation in this country. Please intervene so that no one suffers. I don't understand why the republicans have become so hateful and antiChristian, but there must be something that You can do, God, because You are Almighty. So God, I lay it in Your hands today. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

One Step at a Time

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."- Matthew 11:28

"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." - Romans 8:24-25

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." - II Timothy 4:18

"Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face, who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted." - Psalm 89:15-16

Dear God, 

I have been feeling like I am going to poop completely out. Lost, hopeless, confused. Help me through these feelings. Help me to be content taking one step at a time. God, You are with me and for me, so please make sure that I still have what I need in terms of resources and healthcare. The republican monsters are just that monsters. They are trying to harm the least of these. That is not Your desire. So please intervene. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Small Troubles?

"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - II Corinthians 4:17-18

"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." - II Corinthians 11:24-27

Dear God, 

What lessons are You trying to teach me through the suffering of our nation under Trump and the republican monsters who threaten lives every day with their hatred of the least of these who need healthcare? I am not sure I can call that a small trouble. Even though the eternal glory and Your love is still greater, I just don't feel I can call these troubles small. Please intervene on behalf of the least of these. That's all I ask.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

The All-Powerful God

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." - Revelation 1:8

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." - Psalm 91:1-2

"Sing for joy, O heaven, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! for the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted." - Isaiah 49:13

Dear God,

This planet is a big mess! The republican monsters proved that through and through with their actions that would harm the least of these with regard to healthcare last week. The news does make me worried. You are the one who is and was and is coming. You are the creator of time and know everything about the beginning and the end of the story. You are all powerful. You know what will happen and are in control. I do feel helpless right now. You love me. You comfort Your people. You are mighty and loving. God, show Yourself in a huge way to intervene on behalf of the least of these with regard to healthcare. It goes to the senate next and Trump weasel liar is trying to push it through to them. He has deceived them dearly.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Much More than a Hero!

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." - Micah 7:7

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning a too deep for words." - Romans 8:26

"Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." - Isaiah 46:3-4

Dear God, 

You are more powerful than any human hero! God, do You really hear all of my prayers? Because I feel like You betrayed me and the least of these this past week by the fact that those stupid republican monsters passed a stupid bill that they did not actually read which would remove healthcare from the least of these. That is NOT love. I don't know what it is, but it is not love. Are You really always working in my life when Younallow something like that to happen knowing that I would be hurt by it? You say You will take care of me, but how is taking away my healthcare taking care of me? I am in much turmoil and doubt right now.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen

With a Thankful Heart

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" - Psalm 100:4-5

"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!" - Psalm 107:21-22

"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." - John 16:22

Dear God, 

I am struggling to see You right now what with this monstrosity the republican monsters unleashed against the least of these with regard to healthcare. How can I sing a song of thanksgiving when I don't even know anymore whether I will live to see another birthday? God, the senate is saying they won't take it up. That they have something else in the works. But I feel lost and hopeless right now. I saw glimpses in my new friend and in my kitten. But that was the extent of it. My heart aches. God, I can't. I feel let down by You today. I thought You cared. I have no words.

Thank You anyway.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

While You Wait

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - Romans 5:1-2

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." - Romans 8:18

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Dear God, 

I can be happy because of the hope I have of sharing in Your glory. God, hope. Hope. You said that You would care for the least of these. You said those who hurt the least of these will be separated at the time of judgment. God, there is always going to be suffering while we live in a fallen and broken world. There will always be people in need. But here we are in 2017 battling for what the least of these need again. The republicans have shown their wickedness in their monstrosity of what they call a "healthcare" bill and have chosen to go against ALL soundness and educated opinions about the dangers of it. They are on the attack with regard to the least of these and they do not seem to care who they hurt in the process. God, You say You work things together for the good of those who love You. God, I know Your heart based only upon I read about Your heart in the Bible, through the words of Jesus, and I know that what the republicans are trying to do, what they are trying to vote on today is not in line with You or Your teachings. God, we need You to intervene in a HUGE way today. Protect the least of these from the harm that the republicans are trying to inflict on them. God, I am trying so hard to trust You right now but I am faltering. Healthcare became personal for me the minute I realized my medical fragility was great. I used to be younger and thought I was invincible until things struck me. And I came to appreciate and desire the right kind of care for everyone. What we have - insurance - is not working for us, but what the republicans are proposing is just downright dangerous and hateful. So, God, today I ask that Your will be done on earth as it will be done in Heaven, and I ask that You intervene on behalf of the least of these and protect them from all harm that would be inflicted upon them by the republican monsters. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Because of Me

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:16-17

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." - Psalm 32:8

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." - Psalm 143:8

Dear God, 

All things were made through Your power. You are creator and savior. Every breath is a gift from You. All things continue because of You. I lay at Your feet the needs of the least of these who need healthcare in our country. These monsters in the republican faction seem bent on screwing things up for the least of these. I ask for Your intervention. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

A Hiding Place

"The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him." - Nahum 1:7 

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." - I John 1:5

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

Dear God, 

You are a refuge in times of need. You are good. You will protect me. You are light. You will always be with me. God, as the republican monsters go after healthcare AGAIN, please step in and intervene on behalf of the least of these who need their healthcare to remain intact. 

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

My Master Plan

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5

"For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering." - Hebrews 2:10

"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." - II Corinthians 4:17-18

Dear God,

I should trust You with all my heart. Today is not starting on a good note, God. I need You for sure. This world is broken indeed! God, I ask You right now to keep intervening with regard to healthcare for the least of these. The republican monsters are relentless little devils. They keep attacking it. They have nothing better for us. And they keep trying to make it worse. I am afraid. So please keep intervening.

Thank You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen