Recompense: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                  Recompense

                Only by God's hand

                can the enemy be

                vanquished.

                Only then can the

                barrage cease

                pounding.

                Only when see the 

                conquerors condemned

                ourselves.

                Then perhaps by

                mercy's intervention

                can evil cease.

Psalm 37:31: "The law of their God is in their hearts; their steps do not slip."

                

Reflection: Slipping: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. Do we trust God's version of recompense in all situations? Why? Why not?

        2. How do we recognize when we ourselves have hardened our hearts against His truth?

        3. When God doesn't respond in the ways we desire, what do we trust He will do?

Share: What work has given you the most unexpected joy that He led you to?

Slipping: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Lamentations 3:64-66: "Thou will recompense them, O Lord, According to the work of their hands." 

Slipping

Lord, we need You to please keep our souls and desires to be filled with Your words and Your desires.

So that the works of our hands follow only You and not break away from Your truth and plans. So that we will not slip away onto false roads.

Help us to stay committed to whatever 'that thing' is of Your choice. Keep the work of our hands guided and cleansed by Your Spirit.

Your thoughts,

Mocking: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                 Mocking

                Murmurs gurgle 

                Like a stream under

                Storm, a constant

                Rush of sound

                Erratic, chaotic

                No soothing melody

                Shape into taunts

                Day and night

                Strumming chords.

Psalm 37:30: "The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice."

Reflection: Sight: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions 

        1. Have you experienced the taunts from others or the taunts from within yourself?

        2. How do those whispers undermine God's grace in your heart?

        3. What words from God's truth help you to turn away from them?

Share: How does seeing God on our side change the way you pray?

Sight: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: lamentations 3:61-63: "Thou hast heard their reproach, O Lord, All their schemes against me...Are against me all day long. ..". 

Sight

Lord, You often show us that the battles can begin in our doubts and fears and even in minor irritations--before they grow into our battle zones.

Guide us into when and how we can pause before You in prayer to seek Your path first. To guide us to see our circumstances through the eyes of Your Spirit.

Before the lies and worries can grow into fear and doubts and attacks. Within or without.

Keep us remembering to pause and pray all day long and stay close to You.

Your thoughts, 

Haven: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                 Haven

                Out of redemption grace

                she prays

                

                for justice

                only possible by

                Spirit

                faithful judge

                overcomes malice and

                sin with

                forgivness.

                On each side safe haven.

Psalm 37:29: "The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever."

Reflection: Safety: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. How astonishing is the fact that the Lord Himself pleads for us?

        2. Does your soul accept and acknowledge His gift of grace?

        3. What does a redeemed life look like for you personally?

Share: What change do you cherish the most?

Safety: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry:

Reading: Lamentations: 3:58-60: "Oh Lord, Thou didst plead my soul's cause; Thou hast redeemed my life. O Lord, Thou hast seen my oppression; ...". 

Safety

Oh, Lord, we need Your reminder that in all circumstances we are each being prayer for by You. And cared for by You. And can come immediately to You.

Forgive us when we forget and assume You are not. Then we do not listen for words of hope and purpose.

Forgive us when we forget that each day of our lives is in Your hands and we are not forsaken.

May we receive this gift with thankfulness and an open heart to be Your servant, no matter the hardship within and without.

Your thoughts,

Kneels: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                Kneels 

                Now she kneels

                in the pits she created

        

                emptied of self-denial

                truly prays from a

                heart cleansed from all pride

                caring only for the innocent

                sufferers, purged from

                ambition, seeking only

                welfare. Covets for city's

                restoration.

                Now her prayer

                answered. "Do not fear."

Psalm 37:28: "For the Lord loves justice; He will not forsake his faithful ones. The righteous shall be kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off."

                

Reflection: Intercede: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

        1. What has been the lowest pit you have experienced?

        2. What word did the Lord give you in that place that lifted you out?

        3. How has that changed your perspective when struggles hove on your horizon now?

Share: In what areas of your life is God now saying, "Have no fear?"

Intercede: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Lamentations 3:55-57: "I called on Thy name, O Lord, Out of the lowest pit. Thou hast heard my voice, 'Do note hide Thine ear from my prayer for relief, From my cry for help.' Thou didst draw near when I called on Thee; Thous didst say, "Do not fear!"

Intercede 

Thank you, Lord that in all circumstances You have carried each one of us, especially when in our darkest times and when we could not see You.

In all of our failures You bring healing and hope again.

Please show us how to keep watching and learning through all the circumstances with trust and courage. For ourselves--our families--our friends--and with all whom You connect us to.

Please continue to show us how to pause and pray in all situations and seek only Your truth and glory.

Your thoughts,

Attack: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                 Attack

                Her enemies attack now

                without cause

                lurk to seize weakened

                city. Plunder helpless

                steadily hunt prey

                ambush innocent.

                Drowning under onslaught

                she cries out "I am lost."

Psalm 37:27: "Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever."