I want the end
Upon reading Isaiah 5-10...
Father, as I read Isaiah, it is both frightening and affirming. There is only this one human story that repeats over and over again. We -- Christendom and our culture at large -- are no different from the Ancients who abandoned faith in you for faith in self, political might and alliances, partying and hedonism, wealth, approval, self-justification and rationalizing, and many other things. And, also as in those days, you are undermining this idolatry -- this human kingdom building -- with your subversive reality. First, you remove the leaders so men who chase ambition and profit take their place. As they drive the culture on to worse depravity it begins to unravel. Cohesion gives way to consumption. Then, you begin to erode the things we trust -- wealth, power, weapons, etc. The day is coming that all things will be humbled.
Do you do this because you are vengeful? No, I don't think so. This is the only way we can have freedom. Unto us a child has been born, born of the virgin, but we do not see you or the miracle of your coming. Even in the Church, you are a token, and instrument, and a tool, bereft of might, honor, dread, and mystery. But in reality, you are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Your Kingdom will never end, and it will know no boundaries. But we will never see you, Immanuel, unless our monstrous kingdoms fall. Unless our world -- the one that boasts in a million ways that is does not need you -- falls, we will not be ready to receive the King of kings. When we are like sheep without a shepherd, then we will be ready for the Shepherd of our Souls.
As hard as it may be to pray, I want the end of our wealth and comfort and safety and influence if it means that the curtain will be pealed back and people will see you, Jesus. I pray for the judgment and destruction of every kingdom that stands against you in my life Jesus. And I pray that those kingdoms will be dismantled in the lives of others -- even my friends and loved ones who depend, use, and prostitute themselves to these things every day. Better that America fall, then we miss your glory and your Kingdom. Better the Church shrinks and the culture of Christendom looses its voice and relevence, if it means we will cease to worship our institutions, structures, and traditions and instead find desperation for you and dependence. Better those I love feel true pain and misery, than to not find life in you and then not find life at all.
Teach me, Jesus, to live and speak prophetically in a world you are decaying. As this world we have created dies and is plowed under, may your Kingdom spring from its demise. Amen.
Father, as I read Isaiah, it is both frightening and affirming. There is only this one human story that repeats over and over again. We -- Christendom and our culture at large -- are no different from the Ancients who abandoned faith in you for faith in self, political might and alliances, partying and hedonism, wealth, approval, self-justification and rationalizing, and many other things. And, also as in those days, you are undermining this idolatry -- this human kingdom building -- with your subversive reality. First, you remove the leaders so men who chase ambition and profit take their place. As they drive the culture on to worse depravity it begins to unravel. Cohesion gives way to consumption. Then, you begin to erode the things we trust -- wealth, power, weapons, etc. The day is coming that all things will be humbled.
Do you do this because you are vengeful? No, I don't think so. This is the only way we can have freedom. Unto us a child has been born, born of the virgin, but we do not see you or the miracle of your coming. Even in the Church, you are a token, and instrument, and a tool, bereft of might, honor, dread, and mystery. But in reality, you are the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Your Kingdom will never end, and it will know no boundaries. But we will never see you, Immanuel, unless our monstrous kingdoms fall. Unless our world -- the one that boasts in a million ways that is does not need you -- falls, we will not be ready to receive the King of kings. When we are like sheep without a shepherd, then we will be ready for the Shepherd of our Souls.
As hard as it may be to pray, I want the end of our wealth and comfort and safety and influence if it means that the curtain will be pealed back and people will see you, Jesus. I pray for the judgment and destruction of every kingdom that stands against you in my life Jesus. And I pray that those kingdoms will be dismantled in the lives of others -- even my friends and loved ones who depend, use, and prostitute themselves to these things every day. Better that America fall, then we miss your glory and your Kingdom. Better the Church shrinks and the culture of Christendom looses its voice and relevence, if it means we will cease to worship our institutions, structures, and traditions and instead find desperation for you and dependence. Better those I love feel true pain and misery, than to not find life in you and then not find life at all.
Teach me, Jesus, to live and speak prophetically in a world you are decaying. As this world we have created dies and is plowed under, may your Kingdom spring from its demise. Amen.
posted by soulster at 1:31 AM
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