By Meredith Satchwell, a sophomore nursing major from Carlock, Illinois
Scripture: Psalm 31:9-16 (NRSV)
Distress, weakness, dread, grief, anguish, brokenness, failure. Wow, thank you David for those depressing words. Now let’s just watch some cute puppy videos and everything will be better, right? The reality of it is we live in a broken, anguished, grieving world. People are being killed, discriminated against, bullied, abused and neglected every day. Many people have forgotten what it means to love your enemies, care for the sick and hungry and to protect our children. This world often seems to be a spiteful place and we long for the saving grace of God. Without God’s rescue we would continue to live in this brokenness and we would never be able to see true light! We look forward to the rising of the great rescuer, Jesus Christ, to lift us from our sadness and grief.
Dear God,
When I look outside my window I see a world of despair. A world filled with war, people killing children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters. It is a broken world out there. A world where we are constantly judged by our weaknesses. A world where our failures are not seen as an opportunity for growth but seen as weak and dreadful. This is a world full of anguish and grief. A world where we have lost sight of whom we can trust. God, we pray for your protection and your comfort, for your peaceful heart and your loving mind. We pray that you will save us for our brokenness. Let your love reign over us and save us from our despair. God of the most high, I trust you with this world. We are crying to you God! Save us, oh save us!
Amen.
Scripture: Psalm 31:9-16 (NRSV)
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.
10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
11I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.
12I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.
13For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
14But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
15My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors.
16Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.