February 1
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PSALM 109
13 May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation!
14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD,
and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!
15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth! 16 For he did not remember to show kindness,
but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.
17 He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!
He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!
18 He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;
may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!
19 May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,
like a belt that he puts on every day!
20 May this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD,
of those who speak evil against my life! – Psalm 109:13-20
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PSALM 109 PRAYER FOR THE WEAK AND THEIR OPPRESSORS
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
My Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy
Have pity on all the poor, the weak and the needy
Protect them from wicked people who love to oppress
Give them strength not to give in to their pressures
May those plans of evildoers on the vulnerable be stopped
You alone O Lord have the power to put them on a standstill.
Bless all those who faithfully serve you and embrace suffering
Do not let their silence be open doors for the wicked to continue
May all those who plot evil on the weak be exposed
May all the helpless remember that you will not abandon them
Though they may not see your plans to deliver them
Let your Spirit work on their hearts so they can have courage.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to remember to pray for the vulnerable and weak?
• How can we encourage those who feel helpless?