Praying Psalm 67 on 8 May 2010
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us
Lift up the light of his countenance and give us peace. (Numbers 6.24-26)
A volcano erupts and a cloud spreads upon the earth;
planes are grounded and people are stuck
Debts threaten national bankruptcy, and
another financial meltdown;
people suffer drastic cuts
react in fear and anger
a bank burns: people die
A free sovereign people goes to the polls
and gets a harvest of confusion
the hung parliament
business does not like:
will we come through this unscathed?
Thick darkness covers the peoples (Isaiah 60.2)
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.
Show us your way
Go your way in the world
Open your way for the peoples
Lead us in your way
When we turn to the right or the left,
Let our ears hear the word behind us:
This is the way: walk in it (Isaiah 30 18-22)
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us
even in the darkness, shine
even through the confusion, lead
even in the pain, help
even in the anger and fear, courageous peace
May God bless us,
let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Let all the peoples praise you
by living with wisdom and courage,
with love and hope
God, do not hide from us now
The light of Father, Son, Holy Spirit is shining: it is not hidden
God, walking in your light is difficult
Repent, turn, believe the good news, the kingdom of God comes near
God, walking in your light is still difficult, the way is narrow and hard
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are already on that way:
you will find God with you if you step on to the path
My advice is that there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessiona and thanksgiving – especially for kings and other in authority, so that we may be able to live quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all. (I Timothy 2.1-6)