A Prayer for Deliverance

Text: Psalm 54

Reflection and Question: This is one of the many psalms that ask God for vindication over one’s enemies. When I read these psalms in my prayers, the ancient words remind me that, even as we seek peaceful reconciliation of our differences, fear and frustration have been part of the human experience since the beginning of time. I slowly realize this: while we in the church disagree with one another at times, we actually share a frustration over the conflict and fears about the outcome. To accept that this is our common prayer helps me also accept that God alone can sort it out. Who are the “insolent” for you and what happens when you accept that this is their prayer, as well?

Prayer: God, for your sake, help me! Use your influence to clear me.
Oh, look! God’s right here helping! God’s on my side,
I’m ready now to worship, so ready. I thank you, GOD — you’re so good. Amen.
(Eugene Peterson, The Message, p. 978)

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).