We thank you Lord, for you are good! You’ve gathered us in from all different circumstances, all different places and cultures of origin. Now we’re your people, redeemed from trouble, enjoying your steadfast love forever! Never let us forget how you’ve rescued us.
Some of us were looking for meaning in all the wrong places. We were exhausted and ready to quit on everything. Then you led us on a straight path, into the warmth of your family. You satisfied our longings! Lord, we plead by name for those in our lives who are chasing pleasures, accomplishments, and relationships to find fulfillment – may they find themselves chased down by you, the only source of lasting abundance and contentment.
Some of us were prisoners of our own making. We were enslaved to pursuits that were ruining us. We were gorging ourselves on a banquet in the grave. Lord, we plead by name for those in our lives who are addicts…whether to narcotics or pornography or alcohol or entertainment or food or any form of self-harm – bring them out from darkness and the shadow of death! Shatter the imprisoning doors of bronze and cut in two the bars of iron! Let them breathe the free air of their new home, your Kingdom.
Some of us were complete fools, despising you so much that we called good “bad” and bad “good”. You sent out your word and healed us. You reoriented us to the things that actually nourish us, and left us on the path to wisdom. Lord, we plead by name for those in our lives who are stubborn and senselessly opposed to you – wake them up with your word! Confront them with it by your Spirit, and correct their vision, until they themselves are singing with joy about your merciful deeds!
Some of us were going about life as we knew it – just trying to live and make a living, not thinking about you one way or another. You stunned us by wielding all of creation to show us how small we were. We cried out to you, and you stilled the chaos. And strangely, that whole encounter was the best thing that could have happened to us! It was then that we learned about your wondrous works, and knew your steadfast love for the first time. Lord, we plead by name for those in our lives whose character seems “good enough”: they’re not wearing their very real need of you on their sleeves – cause them to see your power, your beauty, the fear of you, and the peace through which you can speak just as loudly.
All this rescue happens because you are the God of reversals! You cause water to flow in the dry places, but places that boast in self-sufficiency, you cause them to dry up! You feed the hungry, giving them what they need to flourish. You bring down the cruel powerful ones and raise up the needy out of affliction. All who love righteousness cheer and rejoice! The wicked must shut their mouths. Make us wise through seeing these things, and never let us forget your steadfast love!