PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture Lesson: Psalm 79:1-9 The Unburied

Time to reflect: Ancient Middle East societies viewed being left unburied and unmourned as the greatest humiliation, insult and desecration. Conquering armies routinely did the things listed in this Psalm. The Psalmist, naturally wanted revenge (remember that it is a psalmist saying these things, not God), for he was horrified by the situation.

Moving through the day: Warfare brings out the worst in a person and a people. My Lai and Abu-Gharib show that even we can resort to this kind of behavior and attitude. Pray that our society may not have to be involved in warfare and when we do that we do so honorably.

Scripture:

A psalm of Asaph.

 1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
       they have defiled your holy temple,
       they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.

 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants
       as food to the birds of the air,
       the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.

 3 They have poured out blood like water
       all around Jerusalem,
       and there is no one to bury the dead.

 4 We are objects of reproach to our neighbors,
       of scorn and derision to those around us.

 5 How long, O LORD ? Will you be angry forever?
       How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
       that do not acknowledge you,
       on the kingdoms
       that do not call on your name;

 7 for they have devoured Jacob
       and destroyed his homeland.

 8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;
       may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
       for we are in desperate need.

 9 Help us, O God our Savior,
       for the glory of your name;
       deliver us and forgive our sins
       for your name's sake.