[1]The Introit
for this coming Sunday is taken from Psalm 143:1–2; Antiphon, Psalm 143:9—
Psalm 143 is the last of the seven penitential psalms.
It is, like many of David’s other psalms, a plea to the Lord to rescue him from
his enemies.
David does not appeal to his own goodness or
righteousness, however, but explicitly confesses that no one living is
righteous before the Lord. Therefore, he must beg the mercy of the Lord: In
your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
We get the sense that David is in desperate times.
Without the Lord’s defense he has nothing. Thus he can say, “I flee unto thee
to hide me.” David can literally declare, “I have hid my affairs, and troubles,
my difficulties and all my necessities. I have revealed them unto You, who
alone can save.”
This is how we, too, must approach the Lord when we
ask Him to rescue us from earthly and spiritual enemies—acknowledging, as we do
in the catechism, that we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but
punishment, and acknowledging that He delivers
us purely out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit
or worthiness in me.
The hymn
writer reminds us
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing[2]
Prayers for the occasion of the 23rd Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country
Prayer for peace in the world: Heavenly Father, God of all concord, it is
Your gracious will that Your children on earth live together in harmony and
peace. Defeat the plans of all those who would stir up violence and strife,
destroy the weapons of those who delight in war and bloodshed, and, according
to Your will, end all conflicts in the world. Teach us to examine our hearts
that we may recognize our own inclination toward envy, malice, hatred, and
enmity. Help us, by Your Word and Spirit, to search our hearts and to root out
the evil that would lead to strife and discord, so that in our lives we may be
at peace with all people. Fill us with zeal for the work of Your Church and the
proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which alone can bring that peace
which is beyond all understanding;
Prayer for good government: Eternal Lord, ruler of all, graciously
regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that, guided
by Your Spirit, they may be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good
resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly
and peaceably;
Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Prayer for Psalm 143 – Lord Jesus,
you bring the first light of dawn to those who dwell in darkness and make your
love known to them. Enter not into judgment against your servants, but let your
Spirit guide us into the land of justice, where with the Father and the Holy
Spirit you live and reign, now and forever. Amen [3]
[1] Luther's Seal © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Jesus
Lover of my soul, The Lutheran Hymnal © 1942 Concordia Publishing House, St.
Louis
[3] For all the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, © 1995 Delhi, NY
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