I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy. New living bible
God, I’ve heard what our ancestors say about you, and I’m stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2 The Message.
Over the last few months we have heard a lot about how difficult the current pandemic is proving to be. The implications are without doubt far-reaching and will be long-lasting. Everything has been shaken. Even things that we have taken for granted, like our freedom to do what want and go where we want, when we want to do it, has been taken away. Who would have thought four months ago that so many of us would be desperate for a haircut!
But I believe that these are also exciting times and that this is also a season of amazing opportunities for the advancement of God’s kingdom. I don’t believe that God has been caught out by the arrival of the pandemic and that he is at work behind it all. Paul writes in Romans that God works all things together for our good. I’m not alone in sensing that God is doing something significant. During the crisis there has been a huge surge of interest in spiritual matters. Our Facebook services have been getting a lot more views than our average combined Sunday attendance would suggest. Di has been surprised that some of her colleges, even those who in the past have been hostile towards her faith, have been not only watching the services but finding them helpful. Many others are reporting similar things.
I don’t think that’s we should be surprised by any of this. In recent years we have seen a significant wave of prayer rise to the Father, crying out for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, from all across the world. We have seen the rise of the 24/7 prayer movement, the Thy Kingdom Come initiative, as well as what is happening at Ffalyd-y-Brenin. Throughout history, prayer has always been the precursor of revival. All this encourages me to go on praying, with increasing expectation, as all those years ago Habakkuk did, at a time when the nation had turned its back on God, we have heard of the great things that you have done in the past, do it again Lord in our time.
Show your power, O Lord
Demonstrate the justice of your kingdom
Prove your mighty word
Vindicate your name
Before a watching world
Awesome are your deeds,
O Lord Renew them for this hour
Show your power, O Lord
Among the people now
Show your power, O Lord
Cause your church to rise and take action
Let all fear be gone
Powers of the age to come
Are breaking through
We your people are ready to serve
To arise and to obey
Show your power, O Lord
And set the people free
Graham Kendrick 1988 Make Way Music,