Meat for the Hungry

  This morning, sunshine streamed through my windows. Compelled to see this first-hand and soak up some much-needed vitamin D, I rushed out the back door without my coat. The brightness in the sky made me think of warmth. But frigid air jolted my senses. Everything within view was covered with snow or white frost.   Standing on my back stoop, I gazed toward the sun. Its early morning brilliance, hindered by the frosty sky, appeared to be shining through a translucent disk. Light hit the trees casting shadows and creating beautiful contrasts to darkness. I took a moment to pray, thanking God for His creation—that He quickly confirmed was passing away. [1]   I lasted about a minute outside and then scooted back in. Checking my phone for the outdoor temperature shocked me. TEN degrees! Brrr!   I thank God for the cold because I know it kills many germs that would seek to harm us come spring. Still, peering out my window and seeing that beautiful sun fooled...

  DAY SEVENTEEN   Most High God, how glorious and majestic is Your name above all the earth. As the snow-covered mountains seem to touch the sky, I stand at the base feeling very small. I am so grateful You are my Rock, for You are the One who speaks, and the earth shakes. You alone are worthy of praise. You created all things, and in You, Jesus, all things hold together. [1] So…   “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the Lord: Ascribe greatness to our God . He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” [2]   O Lord our God, we fall to our knees before You. We have now for these seventeen days humbled ourselves, prayed without ceasing, sought Your face, and with Your help,...

  DAY SIXTEEN   “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” [1]   Oh Lord our God, we humble ourselves in Your presence and ask for You to lift us up. Father, we have sinned against You, and You have allowed this trial to come upon us so we would wake up and have our eyes opened to the wickedness in our midst. You have afflicted us; therefore, we repent with our faces to the ground. We have returned to make supplication and confess Your Holy name. And though we do not deserve Your forgiveness and cleansing, Your Word says you will hear and forgive Your servants, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk.   Lord send the refreshing and cleansing rain on our land and Your children just as You did for Is...

  DAY FIFTEEN   “Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” [1]   We feel like all is lost, O Lord. Help us to keep our eyes on You and You alone.   And help us to be about our Father’s business, for “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” [2]   You are the One, O Lord our God, who has the final say. You are our refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. [3] For You, Almighty God, deliver us from evil . You make our feet like the feet of deer, swift, steady, and sure. You alone set us on high plac...

  DAY FOURTEEN   “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” [1]   Most Holy and gracious Lord, today is day fourteen of our prayer but also the first day of a new week. It is the day many in our nation will be heading to church to worship You corporately. We will sing, joining with one another in holy and spiritual songs of praise, using our voice to make melody in our heart to You. [2] You are holy, O Lord, enthroned in our praises, and as Your people everywhere pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting, be pleased with our offerings and glorified in our hearts and nation. [3]   By Your might, you brought us into this land of liberty. Forgive us for taking Your gift of freedom for granted. Our nation was founded on Your Law. Our Constitution was based on Your principles, and we, Your people, have esteemed the...

  DAY THIRTEEN   Father, today is day thirteen, and this morning, I’m struggling. I’m grieved by what I see and the discussions I’ve had with people so blinded by evil—people I love. People I care about, and they can’t see what is true. They believe all the corrupt media says, and because of this, the hate in our country is oppressing. Father, deliver us from evil .   You, O Lord, compelled me to pray for these seventeen days, so give me Your Words. Help me see Your strength and power on this day thirteen—thirteen, the number that shakes many people—the number associated with depravity and rebellion in Scripture. Does this number not encompass all that is happening in our land?   The evil, as thorns that grow up and choke the Word of God, overruns our land. And although these evil ones are men of great stature and we feel like grasshoppers, You gave this land to those who do not live by bread alone, by every Holy Word that proceeds from Your mouth. [1] ...