God,
Everything is legal, and yet so much is wrong.
God your will gets buried in the ethics of our world.
Money making money, much sheltered then offshore.
Your blessing—yes—but where the tax with which to bless the poor?
Nix subsidies and welfare. The state needs revenue.
Power plants run empty as the grid produces nil.
Still the courts are working, with orders to suspend.
Or then to start, yet file again—but justice to evade?
Prime minister signs papers, immunity to lift.
Then speaks as well of special court that never saw a trial.
Relations now with Syria—ten years of civil war.
Lebanon was squeezed, must breathe, communicate with neighbor.
Iran then came to visit, pledged aid it does not have.
At least not yet, a deal may come, the region is preparing.
But IMF stands ready, the government engaged.
No pledge; instead, must implement a long list of reforms.
Who can stand and argue? For Lebanon is stuck.
All this, oh God: We hang our heads with but ourselves to blame.
We could adopt a theory, with partisan insight.
The other side just beats it down, yet then offers its own.
Is it only interests? The strong suppress the weak?
Maybe yes, and then they cloak their power in right and good.
Where then is salvation? Oh God, what do you want?
None of us can see a path that fixes every fault.
God, your kingdom coming. It’s here, but still, not yet.
Help us each in our small strength to curb systemic vice.
Pray for every leader. Call out every sin.
Our cause without you God is hopeless. Of Lebanon, redeem!
Amen.
To receive Lebanon Prayer by WhatsApp, please click this link to join the closed comments group.
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 