Friday, May 03, 2019

Thinking...

From Saint Mark's Gospel:
Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And he began to weep. Mark 14:72 (NASB)
We've been cursed with a Rooster, a block to our east and outside of our Home owner's association.  This stupid bird has no compunction about crowing whenever the urge strikes him.  Often, I daydream about taking this rooster on a trip to introduce him to Colonel Sanders, to give him a new vocation as a bowl of soup.  Mister Rooster will wake me up at 3:15 AM, hours before sunrise here in Suburbia Majoria.  A few days ago, the thought hit me at this dark hour which pointed me towards the Passion narrative of our Savior, zeroing in on Saint Peter's denial of the Christ.

In lieu of being annoyed, I now have something else to think about when Foghorn Leghorn shakes me out of my slumber at this hour.

Thursday, May 02, 2019

On the National Day of Prayer -- 2019

From saint Paul's first letter to Timothy:
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 we 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,  1Ti 2:1-3 ESV
I was blessed today, to have led friends, neighbors, and co-workers in prayer during observances at two sites in Stafford County.  It  was a perfect morning that was mercifully, warm and precipitation free.  I'd invite you to consider this prayer:
Almighty and ever living God, we your offspring and the generations of Adam gather this morning under this flag pole to bring praise to you and to intercede for our Republic, its Leaders and her citizens.
As we, civil Servants of this Republic approach you, we don’t presume to come into your presence, trusting in our own goodness, but in your great and bountiful mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather
up the crumbs from under your table. But you are the same God whose property is always to have mercy upon the contrite. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, to enter into your presence, to lift up our petitions for our Republic that our Land may be healed and all her inhabitants would be reconciled unto you.
We stand before you as the giver of all good things and the one at whose command, nations rise and fall. You’ve taught us through your holy counsels that every good and perfect gift comes from you and for this reason; we come before you this morning, joining others around this Republic who’ve also gathered in intercession.
In your presence, we’ve come seeking your mercy for ourselves, and for our nation. Too often, we’ve been like the prodigal child; the one who though desiring their father’s riches and bounty, but determined to live life on their terms, or as the other older Brother, harboring bitterness and malice under thin veneers of conformity and civility. In this we ask your mercy, and for the strength and resolve to live lives of gratitude and mutual concern for one another.
We ask that you would move within our lives, that we would be used as change agents for good. We pray that we might become channels of your peace and mercy to those you’ve placed in our lives and paths. We pray too, as public servants, that through your help, we will be faithful and diligent stewards of the nation and its collective trust and treasure.
We commend to you this morning, those who’ve you placed in authority to govern and lead this Republic including Donald our President, Michael our vice president, William our Attorney General, and Christopher, our Director, and those on Capitol Hill; may they administer justice, govern wisely, and strive for the welfare and peace of the whole world. May they always stand faithfully, with an ear towards their constituents and a heart towards heaven.
We uplift to you those in our nation who are in need or who suffer this morning. We call out on their behalf, asking that you would open your storehouses of mercy for them. Too, we offer ourselves that we might become you heart and hands extended to those in need. Make us channels of your provision. We commend to you, all those who stand in harm’s way, those who’ve sword oaths to protect, defend and serve their fellow citizens. Watch over them as they serve in faraway deserts, stand on thin blue lines or place their safety aside for the sake of others.
Today too, we would pray for the safety of those gathering to worship and that we’d speak loudly and in one voice, against the evils of anti-Semitism. A sin that has no place in our Republic.
Finally Lord, we seek your protection against our enemies, both here in our homes and around the world. Not because we are deserving, but because you are merciful. Protect us not only from our enemies, but also from ourselves that we might not only be recipients’ stewards of your blessings in this day, but also be able to pass along your bounty to those who will follow after us.
All of this, we ask, seek and hope for in your name. Amen
Following the prayer, the point was made to point out Saint Paul's instructions in praying for Kings and rulers.  At this time, all of the Empire was under the rule of Nero, the maniacal ruler of Rome.  They were encouraged to pray for the President, whether he be considered a hero or a zero in their minds.  "Hero or zero, he's certainly no Nero."

Accept my invitation to pray for your Nation, which ever it might be.