“With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD….For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.”
Psalm 109:30,31
The following prayer in distress over the terrible events in Afghanistan is based on Psalm 109:20-23, 26-27.
“… O sovereign LORD” You are the LORD, Yahweh, the Great and Holy One, the Sinless One, the Mighty I Am, without beginning or end, without negativeness or evil, without sin or selfishness, the Perfect Judge of all and the Lover of sinners. You are the One to whom we can appeal.
“…My Lord,” you are Adonai, the One who has the right to demand complete obedience, for you have purchased us at great cost, in great pain, through great suffering. You also promise complete provision for us to be able to obey you, serve you and love you well.
“…Deal on our behalf, on behalf of your children in Afghanistan, for your name’s sake.” We are all weak and can only appeal to you to contend with those who oppose them there in Afghanistan. And my motive in praying this is that your Name be honored.
“…Because your steadfast love is good, deliver them!” I turn to you, for your love is sure, your power is unlimited, your wisdom is boundless, your influence is endless, your work is flawless.
In contrast, “…I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.” I cannot open people’s eyes, I cannot convince them when they’ve made up their minds, I cannot bring change—my ability and resources are extremely small—micro-power when what is needed is macro-power, which you have. You are the Star-Breather, the Earth Spinner, the Dawn Bringer, the History Ender, the Eternity Beginner.
“We are gone like a shadow at evening; we are shaken off like a locust.”
Praise you, Lord God, for your great love for ones like me who, in our selves, are such weak, insignificant, useless, ignorant creatures!
“Help us/them, O LORD my God! Save them according to your steadfast love!” Without you nothing will happen, O Yahweh, my Elohim, the Supreme God, strong in love, mighty in power, faithful in promise, trustable in your strength and wisdom.
And you will answer according to your unwavering love, which you demonstrated in the garden of Gethsemane. When faced with such suffering, such evil, such awfulness, you faithfully, fully fulfilled your promises because of your steadfast love, your kindness, your mercy, your pity for your rebellious creatures.
As you showed your love then, so now, for your glory, for your honor, for the sake of your Kingdom, for the sake of your desire to have more worshipers, answer us!
“Let them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it!” Act in a way so that all will know it is unmistakably your work, your desire, your perspective that prevailed.
Prayer: “Now in this situation that faces your children, Lord, bring glory to yourself, honor to your name and praise to your character. I commit their way to you, I trust in you and wait for you to bring to pass what is best. And I praise you now for the outcome, even though it may not be what I prefer, for you are good! Amen.”
