A big black pickup rear-ended me a few weeks ago and totaled my cute little Honda. Now I’m prejudiced against all big black pickups. My heart beats faster when I see one in the rear view mirror.
I know it isn’t rational. Big black pickups aren’t out to get me. Someday I’ll get over this.
Lord, give me eyes to see my other prejudices. Give me the wisdom to let them go. And when I see prejudice from others, give me the compassion to think, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
Skin color has been in the news. We know that God doesn’t look on our outward appearance. He looks at the state of our souls. So what color is your soul?
God transforms our souls from dirt-dark to glorious white:
Isaiah 1:18
Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow.
The only white privilege that matters is found in Christ alone. And it has nothing to do with skin color. It has everything to do with God’s grace.
I ran across this post a few weeks back, and the phrase “reliable roof” grabbed my attention.
Safe Shelter. Reliable Roof.
Often one in the same.
The story here is about Haiti, a place crying for safe shelter. It’s about people with spinal-cord injury living in a land with limited resources. It’s about Hope Health Action, a British charity providing “life-saving healthcare to the world’s most vulnerable.” It’s about one person deciding to make a difference. It’s about God transforming a good plan into a better plan.
Oh Lord, there’s so much opportunity for prayer here! We pray for more reliable roofs in Haiti; deliver them from homelessness and hopelessness. We pray that your beloved children with disabilities will not have to resort to begging; place them under reliable roofs. Grant Hope Health Action the resources to build more reliable roofs–more health care and hope to more people. Show each of us ways to expand these reliable roofs: with our prayers, with our money, perhaps even with our time. Take our good plans, Lord, and transform them into your glorious plan. Amen.
Some things haven’t changed in the last 500 years.
Same enemy:
“For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe.”
Same hope:
“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.”
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther, 1520
Translated by Frederic H.Hedge, 1853
The news interrupted my plan for this week’s blog.
You’ve heard this before: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend your right to say it.” Here’s my variation on the theme:
I disapprove of what you say, and I will defend my right to pray for your soul.
You see it all, God. Angry words hurled at angry words, judgment piled on judgment, violence facing violence — take away those hearts of stone, Lord. Replace them with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Prince of Peace, fill us all. Restore our souls.
I posted a year ago on the four faces of prayer. Which face are you?
The man face has a heart of compassion: Lord, be a safe fortress for your persecuted children. The lion’s protective eye is on the horizon: Rally the free world to speak on behalf of these suffering people. The ox does daily duty: Give them what they need today. The eagle soars, looking to the future: Lord, grow your army of believers in North Korea into a glorious force for good.
God’s put a phrase on my heart: Safe Shelter. It’s a prayer assignment. A changing prayer assignment that I’ll share with you. Every week, I’ll post a prayer for safe shelter–for different people, suffering different circumstances, needing our prayers.
Let’s start with a place that’s at the top of the news this week: North Korea. Read this from Open Doors, an organization serving persecuted Christians:
“Once again, North Korea is ranked as the most oppressive place in the world for Christians, #1 on the World Watch List. In this totalitarian communist state, Christians are forced to hide their faith completely from government authorities, neighbors and often, even their own spouses and children. Due to ever-present surveillance, many pray with eyes open, and gathering for praise or fellowship is practically impossible. Worship of the ruling Kim family is mandated for all citizens, and those who don’t comply (including Christians) are arrested, imprisoned, tortured or killed.”
Check the Open Doors website for more information.
Lord, grant our Christian brothers and sisters in North Korea safe shelter–Deliver them from their enemies, O God; be their fortress against those who are attacking them (Psalm 59:1). Amen.
