Psalm 31

Mark Rhoads   -  

May 7, 2023

Heavenly Father,

There is a good chance many of us are in distress. Maybe our eyes are blurred with tears. Maybe our souls are withering away or we are dying with grief.  Maybe our years are being shortened by sadness, and sin has drained our strength. Maybe we are scorned by our enemies and despised by our neighbors. Maybe our friends are afraid to come near us.

But You are our rock and our fortress. Lead us out of danger for the honor of your name. We depend on your faithfulness for rescue.  Like Jesus did on the cross, may we entrust our spirits into your hand.

Help us to be your hands and feet, your words and actions that bring comfort and relief to all those around us whether in our own homes or in this congregation or in our neighborhoods—As you have lavished your love on us, may we lavish love on one another, for this is the charge you have given us.  May we not grow weary in well-doing.

We praise you Lord, for you have shown us the wonders of your unfailing love. When we cry out in panic, you hear and answer.  You answer in your way and in your time. You are not slow as we count slowness.  You do all for the honor of your name. Though our outward man perishes, our inward man suffers no damage. Our way is not in our hands, nor in our friend’s hands, nor in our enemies’ hands, but in your hands.

So may we be strong and courageous. Lord, we put hope in You.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray.
And all of God’s people said, AMEN