November 17, 2012
Day 12
Heavy Hand
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Dear Praying Friend,
Sometimes the anguish we feel comes from the burden we carry for the suffering we witness in the world in which we live. As we draw closer to the heart of God (the result of daily seeking Him in His Word and prayer), we develop a greater sensitivity to the things that break His heart and the pain He feels for His wayward children and His fallen creation. As we meditate on Psalm 6:6-7 today, we join with the psalmist as his sleeping is replaced with suffering. Many of us can relate to nights filled with tears and weeping as we've wrestled to gain understanding of the mind of God in regards to His response to the condition of this world (and the lack of response of this world to the hand of God). When we are called to stand in the gap, with fasting and weeping and mourning, for the salvation of the souls of a nation, we must not allow the agony in our hearts to dim our eyes to the point that we begin to doubt God's promise to deliver His people. Instead, let us learn from the lamentations of those who have gone before us, allowing the weight of His heavy hand to cause us to press in all the more fervently in prayer on behalf of this world. May the weight of the burden be replaced with the weight of His glory, as we watch expectantly for His plan to unfold in our time. "Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street." (Lamentations 2:19) Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your unfailing love. Your love consumes us and has ignited a fire within us for the lost to come to Your salvation. We feel Your hand weighing heavy upon us, as our eyes are being opened and our hearts are being moved to fervently pray for this world which is vastly unaware they are suffering from spiritual decay. Lord, Your salvation is the only salve that can heal our wounds. Help us, then, to not grow weary as we lift up our hands in prayer, and soak our pillow in tears, for this world that is lost in darkness and dying in sin. O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You. May the world recognize they are dying of thirst and be drawn to Your life giving water. Refresh our parched lips with Your Word as we daily pour out our hearts, so we may become the salt which causes men to thirst after You. O Lord, we sense the urgency of this hour. May we be found faithful in humility and tears, ever aware that Your hand is upon us and guiding us to remain vigilant in prayer. Hear our cries, collect our tears, and shower righteousness upon Your people, we pray. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Steadfast in prayer,
Traci Alexander Trumpet and Torch Ministries Psalm 27 ________________________________________________________ Prayer Scripture References: Job 23:2; Psalm 46:4-6; 63:1, 6; Jeremiah 4:19; 6:7, 14; Lamentations 3:22-24; Ezekiel 21:6-7; Hosea 10:12; Acts 20:19. |