Daily Worship

How long?

Gordon Kennedy June 23, 2015 0 0

Acts 4:1-4

Nothing to Hide

While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priests, the chief of the Temple police, and some Sadducees came up, indignant that these upstart apostles were instructing the people and proclaiming that the resurrection from the dead had taken place in Jesus. They arrested them and threw them in jail until morning, for by now it was late in the evening. But many of those who listened had already believed the Message—in round numbers about five thousand!

Mysterious and powerful God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
at times your ways are strange to us.

You have called some to be apostles,
some prophets and evangelists,
some pastors and teachers.
You have given gifts for service,
you have made the harvest fields white.

For some your service means
unjust arrests,
bitter imprisonment,
undeserved wounds,
grief stricken hearts,
cheek stained and eye reddened weeping.
How long, O Lord, how long will your people suffer for your name’s sake?

Strengthen us as we pray
for those who will not see the release of Peter and John,
for those whose long night of sorrow will continue.
Strengthen us to pray for those in such circumstance,
Strengthen us in faith to be worthy of their fellowship.

How long, O Lord, how long?
Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.