There is also power in praying for your church when, despite one’s best efforts, it feels like the church is experiencing little good news. Sometimes it is from outside opposition and sometimes it is internal but the spirit seems to be sagging. Hear yourself lift up your church by placing its name in Psalm 57. As a sample, I will call it first church.
Be merciful to First Church, O God, be merciful to First Church, for in you First Church’s soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings First Church will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by.
First Church cries to God Most high; to God who fulfills his purpose for First Church.
He will send from heaven and save First Church, he will put to shame those who trample on First Church.
God will send forth his steadfast love and bis faithfulness.
First Church lies down among lions that greedily devour human prey;
their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongues sharp swords.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. let your glory be over all the earth.
They set a net for First Church’s steps;First Church’s soul was bowed down,
They dug a pit in First Church’s path, but they have fallen into it themselves.
First Church’s heart is steadfast, O God, First Church’s hart is steadfast.
First Church will sing and make melody. Awake, First Church’s soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre! First Church will awake the dawn.
First Church will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
First Church will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is as high as he heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens. let your glory be over all the earth.
The psalm sounds different when it is your church that is being prayed for, doesn’t it?
