God,
How do you pray for those who accuse each other of lying and cheating? One of them must be right.
Maybe both?
These are the leaders you have raised up for Lebanon.
These are the leaders who raised up themselves.
God, in the first, we lift them ourselves. We ask that you bless them and give them success.
Join them together in all solidarity. Grant them discernment to chart the best course.
Knit the nation united and give it a government.
The people will perish if no vision found.
And God, in the second, you curse not ambition. You honor the servants who risk and who lead.
But selfish ambition you toss on the dung heap. Mix justice with mercy; expose every wrong.
God, they are many.
They may not all be Lebanon’s. They may not all be clear.
A shepherd was snagged on the border with Israel. Accused as a spy, does he just do his job?
“Violate not our borders,” shouts out from the south.
Drowned out by the din of their jets overhead.
And even as aid finds the poor of the nation, the banks make a profit off foreign exchange.
A vaccine is coming to combat Corona.
But only once lawsuits get pushed to the state.
Yet the slightest of hope emerges from Syria. A plane from Aleppo arrived in Beirut.
Dozens of passengers came for some reason. Let trade and exchange increase week-by-week.
But even now wrong is attached to Damascus. An explosive report links regime to the blast.
Meanwhile the people sit home under lockdown. Yet COVID is filling each hospital bed.
God, what to do?
One of the accusing hurled the insight of Solomon.
“Wisdom dwells not in the soul sold to sin.”
But he also took refuge in the poem of Kipling.
“Keep your virtue with crowds; be authentic with kings.”
God, of the first, guard the hearts of these servants.
Let your scriptures inspire and reproach and transform.
And God, of the second, discernment diffuses. It found in the sages and artists and scribes.
The politicians?
Maybe.
It can be, God.
If one is right, then vindicate.
If both are wrong, rebuke.
But raise up the leaders who seek out your wisdom.
For the sake of the nation, spur zeal in the good.
Amen.
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Lebanon Prayer places before God the major events of the previous week, asking his favor for the nation living through them.
It seeks for values common to all, however differently some might apply them. It honors all who strive on her behalf, however suspect some may find them.
It offers no solutions, but desires peace, justice, and reconciliation. It favors no party, but seeks transparency, consensus, and national sovereignty.
How God sorts these out is his business. Consider joining in prayer that God will bless the people and establish his principles, from which all our approximations derive.
Lebanon Prayer places before God the major events of the previous week, asking his favor for the nation living through them.
It seeks for values common to all, however differently some might apply them. It honors all who strive on her behalf, however suspect some may find them.
It offers no solutions, but desires peace, justice, and reconciliation. It favors no party, but seeks transparency, consensus, and national sovereignty.
How God sorts these out is his business. Consider joining in prayer that God will bless the people and establish his principles, from which all our approximations derive.
Sometimes prayer can generate more prayer. While mine is for general principles, you may have very specific hopes for Lebanon. You are welcome to post these here as comments, that others might pray with you as you place your desires before God.
If you wish to share your own prayer, please adhere to the following guidelines:
1) The sincerest prayers are before God alone. Please consult with God before posting anything.
2) If a prayer of hope, strive to express a collective encouragement.
3) If a prayer of lament, strive to express a collective grief.
4) If a prayer of anger, refrain from criticizing specific people, parties, sects, or nations. While it may be appropriate, save these for your prayers alone before God.
5) In every prayer, do your best to include a blessing.
I will do my best to moderate accordingly. Thank you for praying for Lebanon and her people.
Jayson Casper 