When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Ps. 56:3-4
If one part (of the Body of Christ) suffers, all the parts suffer with it. 1 Cor. 12:26
Heavenly Father, because of the Internet, the world feels smaller than ever; and the struggles and suffering of our family in Christ are much more real to us. When King David prayed this prayer, he was a prisoner of Philistines in Gath. As we pray, Father, here are some other fear-producing storylines, we bring to your occupied throne of grace—confident of your mercy and might.
We pray for our brothers and sisters in North Korea, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan—the five countries where Christians are most likely to be singled out for daily persecution. Father, may your perfect love tame their fears, deepen their trust, and encourage their hearts. As they suffer, we suffer, because we’re family.
The Psalmist asked, “What can mere mortals man do to me?” To which we respond, “plenty,” but in view of eternity, very little. As these Christians live out the story of your redeeming love in Jesus, grant them the same grace and courage you gave Justin Martyr. When facing “mere mortals” who would take his life, Justin responded, “You may kill us, but you cannot harm us.” What but the gospel can provide such supernatural peace and more-than-sufficient grace?
Father we also pray for friends in our communities—believers and neighbors, who wake up today with chronic pain and dwindling resources, and relational nightmares and hard providences, relapsing friends and collapsing hopes. Their pain is our pain. Bring the gospel to bear in profound, tangible, and obvious ways; and use us as answers to the very prayers we pray.
Lastly, Father, you know each of us, and the stories, struggles and people that fuel our anxiety, worry, and anger—some as old as our childhood, others as new as the election. Center and settle us, and intensify our awareness of the grip of your grace.
How long, O Lord, before all things are put right, everything sad is untrue, and your glory will cover the earth? Come, Lord Jesus, come. So very Amen we pray, in His glorious and grace-full name.