O Lord, I cry out to you on the day of my distress. It is a day that is full of challenges and limitations. On this day, I discover that I cannot handle all of my problems. My resources and experience are not enough. I have tried. I decided to change things, but I did not prevail. I truly need a saviour.
There is no saviour better than you. You are the greatest and most compassionate saviour. Therefore, I will not invest my efforts and energy in recruiting the resources that people use to address their problems. Instead, I will start with something unique and come to you. Some trust in guns and tanks, but we trust in the name of the Lord. In my distress, my life will be different; my thoughts, feelings, and decisions will be different; for I shall come to you and trust in you. I shall trust from the bottom of my heart that the outcome with you is very different.
You alone are God and we are the children of the blessing. Our King is not deaf or harsh or impotent. I thank you because you have entered into the day of distress and turned it into a day of supplication. You have blessed me in the midst of my distress and consequently my inner soul has recognized that you are trustworthy. I surrender my life into the hands of the one who can calm waves and dry tears.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.
Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Do you roll your eyes in frustration, Lord, when I pay no attention to you, to your truth, – not even to common sense?
Do you want to dope slap me, Lord, when I miss the better, right choice to make – staring me right in the face?
Do you ever turn and walk away when I, for the thousandth time, make the same foolish, stupid mistake?
No, Lord, you don’t…
Instead, you show me time and again the things I’ve failed to see, you look with compassion and mercy on me and all my folly, you always, freely, pardon my sins and grant me a new beginning… Patient, kind and compassionate Lord, be gracious to me today – as you always are – and help me grow in your grace…
Amen.
Fr. Austin Fleming, Roman Catholic Priest in Massachusetts
But all they gave him was lip service; they lied to him with their tongues. Their hearts were not loyal to him. They did not keep his covenant. Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times he held back his anger and did not unleash his fury! For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns.
Loving God, You are our Creator and Sustainer. When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. And so we look to You whenever we are in need, trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.
As You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish, we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day. Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.
We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty. We think especially of the people in Somalia and Eastern Africa who are facing critical food shortages; who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation; and watching helplessly as loved ones die.
Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.
We pray for those who are empty emotionally— who are lonely and long for companionship and love, who are caught in the grip of depression, or overwhelmed with grief.
Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.
We pray for those who are spiritually empty— who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn; who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look; who need You, but do not yet know You.
Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that they may be filled.
God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives. Pour out Your Spirit on us as well. Fill us with Your compassion and love, so that we would willingly share some of our abundance with those who have need.
Lord, in Your mercy, open Your hand. Pour out Your Spirit, so that we may be filled.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who came so that all of humanity might come to know the abundant life that comes from You.
Amen.
Christine Longhurst, Worship Professor, Canadian Mennonite University
The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Continue reading →
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.
I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
prayer & verse 
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