Jonathan Moore
Psalms 35:1-3
O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid. Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, “I will give you victory!”
If we are to be warriors for the cause of Christ, then it is appropriate for David to describe God in warrior terms. "No soldier left behind" is a powerful, honorable, and ethical commitment to never abandon a fallen or captured comrade, a concept originating in ancient warfare and still very much a part of the modern military. As we war in orayer and contend for righteousness, it's important to.know who has our back. As the well-known hymn so eloquently states: " O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise." May you know his protection today.
Prayer from First Presbyterian Church Grenada Heavenly Father, we know that wind, water, rain , sleet and snow àre yours. This Sabbath we come before You with humble hearts, seeking Your protection and grace.
We pray you will place Your mighty hand over this storm and calm its force. Shield us from the fury of the wind, rain, snow and ice. Care for those in the grip of the storm and keep them from harm. We pray for the safety of every person, home, and community at risk. We lift up all rescue workers, police, firefighters, and utility crews, asking for clear minds, steady hands, and safe passage as they heroically assist others in dangerous situations. Calm the anxious thoughts and steady the restless hearts of those filled with fear. Remind them of Your constant presence, that even when life seems dark and stormy, You are with us, guiding us to safety. In the wake of the storm, we pray for swift recovery and restoration. Provide essentials like water, food, and adequate shelter, and inspire communities to come together in support and care for one another.
We trust in Your unfailing love and mercy, knowing You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We pray in Jesus Name. Amen
🌾 A Parable for the Powerless Nights — “The House on the Hill”
There was a small town that sat in a valley, and one winter a fierce storm swept through and knocked out every light. For days the people lived in darkness, cold and unsure when help would come.
But on a hill just outside the town lived an old woman named Miss Alma. Her house was small, her means were modest, but she had one thing the others didn’t — a wood stove and a lantern that still worked.
Every night she lit that lantern and set it in her window. At first, people thought it was just a small light in a big darkness. But soon, something changed.
A father carrying his children saw the glow and walked toward it. A neighbor checking on an elderly friend followed it. A lineman finishing a long shift used it to find his way back. One by one, people found warmth, soup, blankets, and a place to rest.
When the power finally returned, someone asked Miss Alma why she kept that lantern burning when she had so little herself.
She smiled and said, “A single light doesn’t end the darkness, but it tells the darkness it won’t win.”
And the town never forgot it.
💛 For everyone still waiting
You may feel like you’re sitting in the valley right now, but your endurance — your kindness, your checking on neighbors, your sharing what little you have — is the lantern on the hill.
You’re telling the darkness it won’t win.
If you want, I can write another prayer specifically for linemen, for families with kids, for elders, or for the whole community.