Scripture Focus: Hosea 11.7-9
7 My people are determined to turn from me. 
Even though they call me God Most High, 
I will by no means exalt them. 
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? 
How can I hand you over, Israel? 
How can I treat you like Admah? 
How can I make you like Zeboyim? 
My heart is changed within me; 
all my compassion is aroused. 
9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, 
nor will I devastate Ephraim again. 
For I am God, and not a man— 
the Holy One among you. 

Reflection: God Changes—Guided Prayer
By John Tillman

During this contentious election week in the United States, we are seeking repentance, patience, peace, and faith. We will pray for these things this week, using the scriptures from our reading plan. We will pray through the closing chapters of Hosea, today’s chapter being the eleventh.

God Changes
As ones who deserve your judgment, Lord, we cry to you
Change your heart toward us
Remember your tender love for us…

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, 
taking them by the arms; 
but they did not realize 
it was I who healed them. 
I led them with cords of human kindness, 
with ties of love. 
To them I was like one who lifts 
a little child to the cheek, 
and I bent down to feed them. — Hosea 11.3-4


As you loved Israel, love us, Lord.
Do not give up on us or turn us over to destruction.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? 
How can I hand you over, Israel? 
How can I treat you like Admah? 
How can I make you like Zeboyim? 
My heart is changed within me; 
all my compassion is aroused. 
I will not carry out my fierce anger, 
nor will I devastate Ephraim again. 
For I am God, and not a man— 
the Holy One among you. — Hosea 11.8-9


As you changed your heart, change ours, Lord.
Make God changes, once-and-for-all changes, in our lives
Give us eyes that see our sin.
Give us ears that hear your voice.

They will follow the LORD; 
he will roar like a lion. 
When he roars, 
his children will come trembling from the west. 
They will come from Egypt, 
trembling like sparrows, 
from Assyria, fluttering like doves. 
I will settle them in their homes,” 
declares the LORD. — Hosea 11.10-11


Call us from the west and the idols we have followed
Free us from our addictions and false worship
Call us from Egypt, the places we have been enslaved
Free us from our oppressors
Call us from Assyria, the place of exile and judgment
Free us from our punishment as we repent.

Call us back, Lord, and we will come!
Trembling with fear
Trembling with excitement
Trembling with songs of joy
Trembling and longing for your loving comfort.

May you again roar over us in celebration
And may we respond with love and worship.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
You are the Lord; do not withhold your compassion from me; let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. — Psalm 40.12

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle

Today’s Readings
Hosea 10  (Listen – 1:53)
Psalm 132-134 (Listen – 2:42)

Read more about Repurposed Weapons
Our world, and Satan who rules it, wants us, like Gog and Magog, to be their weapons…but in Christ, the weaponized, can be remade…

Read more about Of Pride and The Sword
Despite how Egypt, or any nation, postures itself, those who live by the sword will fall by it. Those who profit by violence will face justice.