The prayer this morning is based on the Old Testament text for today (19th Sunday after Pentecost) from Habakkuk. It is also the text I am preaching on this morning.
Reading through the entire book of Habakkuk (all 3 chapters) I discovered a richness of faith that was inspiring and encouraging. Habakkuk lived in a time where the people had turned away from God and it seemed that God had turned His eyes from the depravity. I look around in the world today and see all kinds of "crap" as well and sometimes wonder why God doesn’t just end it all and take home his faithful (placing my trust in Jesus and hoping that I am among the faithful). But "hearing" God’s response to Habakkuk, I am reminded that God is up to something special in the world. I need to be patient and trust in God’s faithfulness. God has not let me down and God never will.
Let us pray…
Gracious God…we look all around us and see nothing but "Violence!" We cry out to you to take control and "fix" our ailing world. We wonder why fighting, conflict and chaos still exist. We ponder, to no avail, why sin, evil and Satan are still having their days. In the words of Habakkuk we cry, "O Lord how long shall we cry for help, and you will not listen?" But you have not abandoned us to this world. Rather you are doing something special in this world that we cannot comprehend. Through Jesus Christ you are reconciling this creation to yourself. Thank you God for hearing us and loving us. Thank you God for showing us mercy and forgiveness. O God, we give you thanks through Jesus Christ your dear Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever, Amen!
Remember that God is faithful…always and forever. Look around and be reminded of that faithfulness through creation. Praise God and Amen!
-edh-
The Heart of a Pastor 
I really enjoyed this prayer- remember though that box elder bugs are a part of the creation. 😉
I am glad you enjoyed the prayer, but when I see box elder bugs in full force I am reminded of the plagues in Exodus 🙂
Thank you for getting me thinking about Habakkuk this week – my sermon wound coming from there.
Remember that in all of creation was caught up in the Fall – and perhaps not all of what we call “nature” is a part of creation, but a result of the fall. It’s not box elders for me (wrong part of the country) but Fire Ants, which I am sure are minions of the devil sent to torment us. 😉
This would explain Japanese beetles.
A very moving prayer. Thank you.
Pastor David — You make a very good point…thank you.
L&G — I think so too.
Art — You’re welcome…praise be to God!