Image via Pixabay

Our nation is being torn apart by the political and anarchist actions coming from the left and the right.  Both sides are culpable, and neither side has a true solution.  The fight is not for solutions but to gain raw power.  Anytime a nation’s leadership sacrifices truth for power, destruction follows.

This post is not intended to support one cause or side, or the other.  It is to point out that all have been deceived, and if the Lord does not intervene to change things we are headed for great difficulty if not destruction.

There are no political solutions to the issues in our nation.  The roots of our troubles are not political; the roots are spiritual.  The only hope is for spiritual reformation and restoration.  These will come only if the people of God will repent in brokenness and be renewed and revived.

So how can we pray from the scriptures in such times as these?  The Psalms give us many examples of prayers against the enemies of God and the people.  These prayers are best interpreted and best prayed in the context of warring against spiritual evil above all.  I am praying these scriptures (and others from the Psalms) regularly.  I hope they will be useful in spurring you on to praying from the Psalter daily.

Psalm 3:3-8  “But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.  I was crying out to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain.  I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, Lord; save me, my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.  Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be upon Your people!”

Psalm 4:1, 3-8  “Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer.  But know that the Lord has set apart the godly person for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.  Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed and be still.  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the Lord.

Many are saying, “Who will show us anything good?”  Lift up the light of Your face upon us, Lord!  You have put joy in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine are abundant.  In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, have me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 5:8-12  “Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me.  For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them pay, God; have them fall by their own schemes!  Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings, for they are rebellious against You.

But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, sing for joy forever!  And may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.  For You bless the righteous person, Lord, you surround him with favor as with a shield.”

Psalm 7:1-2, 6-10  “O Lord my God, in You I have taken refuge; save me from all those who pursue me, and rescue me, or he will tear my soul like a lion, dragging me away, while there is no one to rescue me.

Arise, Lord, in Your anger; raise Yourself against the rage of my enemies and stir Yourself for me; You have ordered judgment.  Let the assembly of the peoples encompass You and return on high over it.  The Lord judges the peoples; vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.  Please let the evil of the wicked come to an end but establish the righteous; for the righteous God puts hearts and minds to the test.  My shield is with God Who saves the upright in heart.”

Psalm 10:12-18  “Arise, Lord; God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the humble.  Why has the wicked treated God disrespectfully?  He has said to himself, “You will not require an account.”  You have seen it, for You have looked at harm and provocation to take it into Your hand.  The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan.  Break the arm of the wicked and the evildoer, seek out his wickedness until You find none.

The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land.  Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that mankind, which is of the earth, will no longer cause terror.”

Psalm 12:1-5, 7-8   “Help, Lord, for the godly person has come to an end, for the faithful have disappeared from the sons of mankind.  They speak lies to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.  May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that speaks great things; who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”  “Because of the devastation of the poor, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will put him in the safety for which he longs.”  You, Lord, will keep them; You will protect him from this generation forever.  The wicked strut about on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of mankind.”

Psalm 43:3  “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill, and to Your dwelling places.”

Psalm 85:4-13  “Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.  Will you be angry with us forever?  Will you prolong your anger through all generations?  Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?  Show us your unfailing love, Lord, and grant us your salvation.  I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.  Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.”

“Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.  The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.  Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.”

Psalm 91:2-4  “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!”  For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.”