Evil

Your words…

Woe to those who drag wickedness
with cords of deceit
and pull sin along with cart ropes,
19 to those who say:
“Let Him hurry up and do His work quickly
so that we can see it!
Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take place
so that we can know it!”
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who substitute darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who substitute bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.  Isaiah 5:18-20
Again, I observed all the acts of oppression being done under the sun. Look at the tears of those who are oppressed; they have no one to comfort them. Power is with those who oppress them; they have no one to comfort them. So I admired the dead, who have already died, more than the living, who are still alive. But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil activity that is done under the sun.  Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.  2 Timothy 4:18

My words…

Praise
Oh Lord, You see every stunningly beautiful moment in the universe – the explosive birth of each new star, the graceful flight of eagles, every babies’ wobbly first step. Do You smile each time? But You also see every act of evil in Your kingdom – the bloodied bodies of terrorist victims, the innocents forced into slavery, the victims of every human predator. Do You cry each time?  You knew, from the beginning, that Your creation would suffer from the evil schemes of those whose hearts are dark and cold. Innocents would suffer, some more than others because evil isn’t fair. You knew we would be led along, some of us dragged along, by those who excel at oppressing others. But You never planned to leave us alone. When we cry out to You, You will respond. Honor and glory to the One who rescues his children from oppressors.
Prayer for Me
Lord, I am bombarded by the evil around me, and I begin to lose hope. So much suffering caused by so much wickedness. I am grieved that Solomon’s lament is just as applicable today as it was 3,000 years ago. Strengthen my spirit to withstand the waves of hopelessness that follow the successes of evil-doers. They do not rule! Open my eyes to see You working in the aftermath.
Forgive Me
Forgive me when I judge evil-doers as unworthy of Your love and Your salvation. Judging is Your job. They are so mixed up, calling good evil and evil good. They don’t realize they are walking in darkness because they have yet to see The Light. My heart is blackened by malevolent and vengeful thoughts. Cleanse my heart so I may see those who perpetuate evil as Your children, too. You loathe seeing them perish. Forgive me when I wish they would.
Prayer for Others
I pray for those who choose to believe evil is not real. They witness evil, but they call it something else: neurological anomaly, illusion, perception. In doing so, they remove the need to call on You for deliverance. (Remove the evil – remove the good.) Show them what is real: Evil roams the earth, binding those who are weak; You provide the strength to break the bonds. I also pray for those innocent ones who are surrounded by evil. They see the path taken by their fathers, their mothers, their friends, and they step onto that path themselves. Provide a roadblock, Lord! Save this generation from the sins of their fathers! Pierce the heart of those who have yet to commit an act of evil but plan to do so. Thwart the plan! Provide an escape! And I pray for those who think they are safe in their own homes but learn predators are relatives. Their wounds are deep, but You have the balm to soothe their pain so they can move ahead to a life You have in store.
Thanksgiving
Thank You for the strength You provide to Your servants who battle evil every day and do not falter. They stand and fight against heartless sex traffickers and ruthless slave masters. Bring them the victory! Strengthen their mettle so they will continue to battle those who do not value innocence and freedom.
More Praise
Lord, You are more powerful than any evil force at work. The forces of evil know You and tremble. And they should! Praise be to the One who is a mighty rescuer and a gentle Father. To You be the glory forever and ever! Amen.