Lenten Prayers

"With my voice I cry to the LORD; with my voice I make supplication to the LORD.
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. When my spirit
is faint, you know my way. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low. Save me from my persecutors,
for they are too strong for me." Psalm 142, 1–3, 6

     When will the hunger, oppression, torture and lawlessness in Zimbabwe come to an end? The suffering and fear seems to grow daily, but prayer changes things, including the one who prays.

     The psalmist brings every reader into a profound experience of lament, complaint, and raw emotion. He holds nothing back as he pours out his soul to the LORD he trusts, loves and serves. Fully expecting sacred discernment, wisdom and strength, he persists in prayer, begging for rescue from his persecutors. Acknowledging his puny strength in the face of overwhelming odds, his honest and sincere prayer brings solace and courage to survive yet another day. Consider following his example in being straightforward with the Almighty during your Lenten prayers.

     When we are at our weakest, God is nearer to us than our own breathing, closer than our hands and feet. As we cry out in distress, the Almighty hears and cares. There is no need to edit away brutally frank feelings of despair and discouragement when we pray-our loving Creator is most actively involved when we are forthright and uninhibited in our personal prayer life.

     For your Lenten prayers, be candid enough with your feelings to follow the honest example of the psalmist. Complain, shake your fist in anger, weep and moan in prayer. Beseech heaven itself for divine mercy, intervention and wisdom. Rather than cower in fear and uncertainty, get on your knees and pray for God's righteousness to overcome evil sooner rather than later. Expect answers to your prayers and let God be your personal refuge and tower of strength in the difficult days ahead.

     Zimbabwe will benefit from your intercession, for our holy God always triumphs over evil. So take heart and pray without ceasing. Your prayers make a difference and will help hasten the healing and transformation of your beloved country.

Prayer: LORD God Almighty, quickly answer the fervent prayers of Zimbabwe's suffering people. Listen to the troubles, complaints and concerns of our hearts. May righteousness, mercy, justice and relief come swiftly. Amen.

Written by Rev. Dr. Sandy Bochonok
http://soulfoodministry.org
March 12, 2003
Permission is given to freely distribute this reflection throughout Zimbabwe, along with all resources posted on http://soulfoodministry.org.