Abba,

It is in moments like these that I am thankful that you, Spirit, pray for me; that you intercede with groanings to deep for words.  I am speechless.  I do not know what to pray or say.  I am overcome with a flood of emotions and thoughts.  They tumble, fall, scramble over one another leaving me with a mess so tangled, I shake my head and walk away not even bothering to try and sort it out.  The effort seems to vast and beyond me.  So I don’t.  I don’t know what to make of it or how to process it. 

Our nation is in a outright free fall.  Chaos is descending. Madness has overtaken mans’ mind. Sin has so darkened their understanding that truth is lost and rational thinking is nothing but a dream, a fantasy.  Dark days peak on the horizon and a certain measure of fear spikes in my heart, despite knowing better, despite trusting you, despite knowing you are sovereign. 

What do I say?

What do I pray?

I can only watch with horror, shame, sorry, grief, and a certain measure of fear.  I am powerless to stop it, to change it, to escape it.  And so my only recourse is to trust. 

And to pray.

Heal men’s hearts, Abba. 

Spirit, convict, enlighten, and compel men to turn from their sin and seek you.  Redeem this world for yourself.  In the coming night, may I, may we as your church stand firm, may we shine brightly, may we testify and proclaim to YOUR worth and in so doing, draw men to repent, to turn, to be saved by your grace and mercy!

Fortify me, fortify us for the coming days, whatever they may be and let our light and testimony never waver from the glorious gospel.  Grant us strength to stand fast and not forsake the calling for which you have redeemed us.  And may our very presence and faithfulness to your word have a redeeming influence on your created world. 

You are good, oh El Shaddai!

You are holy!

You are just!

You are a God of wonders!

In these coming days, in this current day….still our hearts.  Grant us rest as we trust in you, taking refuge in your nearness. 

Heal, save, redeem…do what you do best.  May many find you before its too late, before your patience runs out, and before your just wrath descends bringing final glory to your righteousness.  May many escape that day through grace, through the curtain that is your body and sacrifice, Jesus.

And Lord….come quickly.