“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, ESV)
I sit here in my office today looking out two picture windows at the relative calm of our forested church property. There is a gentle rain falling from the sky. There is a slight hint of Fall in the air as cooler temperatures prevail. There is a peace. It’s an oasis surrounded by the busyness of New Jersey.
Then I look below the picture windows and see the screen of my computer. There I see images of the raging wind of the strongest Hurricane ever in the Atlantic Ocean. This massive storm now threatens Florida which is in panic. I also watch the recovery effort that is going on in Houston. Then there are the raging fires in the Western United States. It’s a story that gets lost with the other headlines. I don’t even see the story on the front page of cnn.com or foxnews.com. But it has a severe and disturbing impact on those affected.
Then there are the political storms. There are unrest and division along the political spectrum of our country. It seems like something new every week. Last week it was about removing Confederate statues. This week it is DACA. I am sure there will be something new next week and the week after that.
We move across the oceans, and none of these things would matter if North Korea were to initiate a Nuclear War. We are seeing more frequent terrorist attacks in Europe. And there is the constant unrest in the Middle East.
What a crazy world in which we live. I see friends post on Facebook facing cancer. Some are wrestling the helping aging parents. There are others who face crises with their children. Many of you have sent your prayer requests about deep and personal situations that leave you at a loss. How do we respond to it all?
When the Ressler family gathers for mealtime, we pray a common table prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen.
While we pray for Jesus to be present in our meal, I believe there is an even greater reason to call upon his name this day. This world needs Jesus to intervene in a big way. We need Jesus. We don’t have the answers, but we know the one who does.
We pray that he would come and bring calm to the storm. We ask that he would quench the flames. We pray that he would bring unity where there is division. We pray that he would bring healing for the sick and hope for the hopeless. Wherever there is a need, we ask that Jesus would answer that need.
It’s what Jesus taught us to pray. In the Lord’s Prayer, he says to pray for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done. We need it more than ever before. I hope you will join me in praying.
Reflection
- How are you lifting up the needs of the world in prayer?
- What has God been saying to you about meeting the need?
Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus. Enter our world. Calm the storm. Bring your eternal reign of peace. Wipe the tears of those who grieve. Raise up your people the serve the needs of those who live in hurt and pain. May your grace be seen in times of trial. And may glory be brought to your most holy name. Amen.
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