Songs of Faith: Part 1 – Under Attack

This Sunday, Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
The talk will be available via live stream at 9.30am on Sunday 1st May, on our YouTube channel.
 
Once you have listened, here are some questions to consider:
 
Readings:

Psalm 57 (New Living Translation)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
    I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
    until the danger passes by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
    disgracing those who hound me. 
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.
4 I am surrounded by fierce lions
    who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
    and whose tongues cut like swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
    May your glory shine over all the earth.
6 My enemies have set a trap for me.
    I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path,
    but they themselves have fallen into it. 
7 My heart is confident in you, O God;
    my heart is confident.
    No wonder I can sing your praises!
8 Wake up, my heart!
    Wake up, O lyre and harp!
    I will wake the dawn with my song.
9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
    I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
    Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
    May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 144 verse 1 (English Standard Version)

Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;



Prayer & Reflection
 
Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify Your name. Have mercy on us when we feel under attack. We confess the times we have failed to trust You, and failed to give glory and honour to You. Forgive us Lord as we come to You again and say thank You for the times You have delivered each of us from attack of one kind or another.

Loving God, we plead for You to have mercy on the people of Ukraine who are under vicious attack. Shelter them under Your wings and send help from heaven to rescue them O God. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over Ukraine and on all countries under oppression. May your glory shine over all the earth!

Amen.




Questions to Consider
1) Have you ever felt like you were really under attack? What were the circumstances? Who was involved, and what happened? If you do, why is that? If you don’t, can you think of an alternative, perhaps more appropriate name?
2) Did you / do you find it hard to talk to God? Have you ever prayed in the way that David and the other psalmists did, with that raw honesty about their circumstances?
3) Is there a quiet place you can find to have that kind of talk with God?
4) Do you routinely trust God?
5) Do you wait patiently for God to answer your prayers?
6) Do you think prayer changes God, changes circumstances, changes you… or some combination of those things?
7) If you believe in God, do you trust Him?
8) What have you personally done, and what might you do next, to help Ukraine?