"Dona Nobis Pacem" 2009

"Dona Nobis Pacem" - 2009 Blog Blast for Peace

Heart of a Ready Writer is proud to participate in the 2009 Blog Blast for Peace.

"Dona Nobis Pacem" ("Grant Us Peace")

May this be our prayer, today and always.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God."
(Matthew 5:9, NIV)

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August 23rd - Sin’s Sores and a Savior

Sin’s Sores and a Savior

(Jeremiah 30:1-34; 31:1-26; 33:10-13)

The Healer

Artist Unknown

In a dream, the Lord spoke to Jeremiah, His Old Testament prophet. God described the dire straits of His people and humankind in general.

“This is what the Lord says:

‘Your wound is incurable,

your injury beyond healing.

There is no one to plead your cause,

no remedy for your sore,

no healing for you.’”

(Jeremiah 30:12-13, NIV)

What is this fatal wound the Lord outlined? Could this be sin, the plague of humanity throughout history? Who has not tried to assuage his or her own guilt and shame through all sorts of deeds and means, which all proved to be fruitless?

Is there nothing that can be done to remove the gangrenous and gaping gash of our own guilt, so we may be healed and holy before the only true God?

Of course, the Lord Himself provided the answer, in His own Person. For He is our Healer, Deliverer, Redeemer, Restorer, Savior and King.

“’But I will restore you to health

and heal your wounds,'

declares the Lord.”

(Jeremiah 30:17a, NIV)

May His name be ever praised! And may the Lord of love write His own name upon our hearts, as He draws us ever closer to His own.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”

(Jeremiah 31:3b, NIV)

Will you pray with me?

Holy Helper,

Redeemer and Restorer

Of our hearts,

Only You can make us whole.

Let us look to You

For healing,

Within and without,

For we can do nothing

Apart from Your grace

And power.

Amen.

August 22nd - Prophetic Prayer Power

Prophetic Prayer Power

(Jeremiah 21:1-14; 22:1-9; 32:1-44; 33:1-9; 34:1-7)

Jeremiah’s Prayer

By Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

17^th Century

Jeremiah counseled King Zedekiah of Judah, as the nation faced a military assault by the Babylonia armies of King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah urged Judah to surrender. But Zedekiah refused and had Jeremiah arrested. Even under these circumstances, Jeremiah praised the Lord.

"Ah, Sovereign Lord,

You have made the heavens and the earth

by Your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for You.

You show love to thousands

but bring the punishment for the fathers' sins

into the laps of their children after them.

O great and powerful God,

whose name is the Lord Almighty,

great are Your purposes

and mighty are Your deeds.

Your eyes are open to all the ways of men;

You reward everyone according to his conduct

and as his deeds deserve.”

(Jeremiah 32:17-19, NIV, emphasis added)

Jeremiah acted on his faith, standing on the promises of God. As a result, the Lord promised to reveal His treasured secrets to the faithful prophet. Jehovah Himself offered prophetic power and insights to His servant Jeremiah.

“Call to Me

and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things

you do not know.”

(Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)

How I would love to know the secrets of the Lord. Wouldn’t you?

What does it take to gain inside insight into the wisdom of God? According to the example of Jeremiah, several traits are required. Faithfulness, expressed in bold obedience and trust, may be a solid start.

Surely the Lord desires to share His truth and His holy heart with those who seek Him. May He grant it so.

Will you pray with me?

Beloved One,

We desire to know You

And to understand Your truth.

We long to live in Your light,

Where You share your secrets

With those who will trust You

And listen

And follow.

Open our hearts,

So that we may see Your own.

We live to love You.

Amen.

August 21st - A Mourning Minister

A Mourning Minister

(Ezekiel 24:1-27)

Ezekiel the Prophet

Artist Unknown

"'I the Lord have spoken.

The time has come for Me to act.

I will not hold back;

I will not have pity,

nor will I relent.

You will be judged

according to your conduct and your actions,’

declares the Sovereign Lord."

(Ezekiel 24:14, NIV)

The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was discouraged. The Lord revealed to Ezekiel that his own wife would die. God told Ezekiel to mourn privately and quietly and to continue to minister to the people.

The prophet’s own suffering would parallel the fate of God’s people. At the same time, Ezekiel’s sacrifice would foreshadow the Lord’s own commitment, as He would one day offer His own Son’s life to redeem the lost.

Even in his time of grief and loss, Ezekiel remained faithful to God and His Word.

How much might ministry cost?

What price are we willing to pay, in service to the living God? What might the Lord ask of those He calls to leadership? Could personal boundaries be stretched and privileges sacrificed? What private losses might be sustained?

Is it all worth it?

May the Lord grant us even the smallest glimpse of His great glory. One look, and we may see and understand. He is more than able, and He is more than enough.

Will you pray with me?

Mighty Master and Maker,

We plead for a peek

At Your power

And Your perfection.

We are unworthy,

And all the things we grasp at

May fall away,

Once we realize the reality

Of the One we serve.

Give us a glimpse, Lord,

For we have not a clue,

Even when we count ourselves

As wise.

We long to know You

Ever more.

Amen.