Scripture Focus: Nehemiah 4.14
Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.
Reflection: Spiritual Vigilance Needed :: Worldwide Prayer
By John Tillman
Like the families stirringly described by Nehemiah, most people would never shirk from giving their all in defending their homes from physical attack. If one’s family or children were under a physical threat, the instinct of every person is to rise up, to stand between them and danger.
But the dangers of spiritual life are more subtle than a home invasion—and more dangerous. And though we would risk our lives to stop an intruder armed with a gun, often the more dangerous invaders of idolatry, greed, and selfishness pass right through our defenses.
In many cases, our spiritual vigilance is lacking.
May we all, parents or not, pray this prayer solemnly, recognizing that whether biological children are in our arms or not, Christ expects us to bring ALL the little children of our world to his arms for protection.
A Prayer for Our Children
From Jamaica
Father of all the families of the earth!
Hear now our prayer for the children.
May those who would bear children recognize your great grace in according them a part in the mystery of the generation of life and your judgment upon all who cause your “little ones” to stumble.
Remember in your love the children at risk in our time— those whose homes are the streets of great cities, those who have been displaced by war and other calamities, and who by experience understand the feeling of Him who said, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Loving Lord Jesus, sometimes “despised and rejected of men”, You know the pain and distress of youth who feel rejected and neglected and starved of affection.
So bless all those who as parents or mentors, offer love and guidance to the young.
May we so live, and so order our societies that the youth of our time, like the perfect Son of Man, may grow and develop “in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”
Hear this our prayer O God and answer the yearning of our hearts for the renewal and redemption of all your wonderful Creation, especially for our young people, our glory and our hope, for the sake of your loving Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
*Prayer from Hallowed be Your Name: A collection of prayers from around the world, Dr. Tony Cupit, Editor.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice and Israel be glad. — Psalm 14.7
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Today’s Readings
Nehemiah 4 (Listen -3:38)
Acts 14 (Listen -3:54)
Read more about God Shivering on Concrete
God’s love is evident…in the many Christian and secular organizations that move, at times into dangerous circumstances, to help the downtrodden.
Read more about The House God Desires
When we make room for God in our hearts and lives, he will enter.
And when our lives are over, we will awake in the house of God.
