A quick prelude to the following post: I am going through the Psalms right now and having a hard time relating to the messages being written. They are so foreign to me. If I lived in the Sudan or the Middle East or China and experienced that persecution, I might be better able to relate, but I can't.

Having said that, yesterday was "recovery Sunday" at our church. I was skeptical, I don't know why but I didn't have a good feeling about this, things can get out of hand. But I was wrong. Four people got up and shared for around 45 minutes their struggles with alcohol and drug addictions and how the Lord had or was bringing them out of that. POWERFUL!

One lady in particular stood out to me. She talked about being abused emotionally, physically, and sexually from the time she was four. Maiya is four. She has a daughter who is four. She said her brother used to do things to her that she couldn't even speak of. She turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain, she needed an escape. She said she called out to God but in her surroundings and addictions didn't feel His Presence. Broke me right down.

Back to the Psalms, hearing her story, I can relate to the anger expressed at the evil of the days, as I share them right now. A prayer:

Dear Father, please be with those young boys and girls right now who are lying awake hoping that they don't hear the footsteps of the father or brother walking down the hall. Be with them as they hear the doorknob turn, ease their pain not with drugs or alcohol but with your peace, mercy, and compassion. Let them know you are there. Let them know you are a loving and just God and that this evil will be repaid. As David asked for wings like a dove to fly away, give them that as well. Restore them to your Kingdom, let them know of the power of Your redemption. When they call to you, speak to them, give them the peace of God that transcends all understanding. Most of all, protect them from evil and from the evil one, may I never forget them in my prayers. Let them know they are not alone, they are not at fault, and that we are praying for them. Help them to open up and seek help, help them to seek You. AMEN.