In Psalm 140, David prays for the Lord's deliverance from those who oppose him, whom he describes as having hearts bent toward evil and war, tongues that are as "sharp as a serpent's," mouths that are filled with venom, and hands that are set on ambushing David and tripping up his feet. David cries out to the Lord: "You are my God; give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord! O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle."
Father God, David often found himself embroiled with war: sometimes against neighboring nations at war with Israel, sometimes against assassins lurking in his palace seeking to take his life, and sometimes against character-assassins seeking to destroy him with their words. You, O Lord, are our strength and our shield, and you clothe us with the helmet of your salvation. In all the situations that threaten to undo, whether physical harm, verbal slander, or emotional turmoil, you are our shield. You are our very life. We pray, Father, for your protection. Preserve our lives and our well-being. Protect us from every evil attack. And we pray: speed the day of Christ's coming, that your kingdom might reign supreme and all opposition might be laid to rest forever.
Father, we admit that the battle rages on, not only outside of us, but within us as well. We pray: heal us from our bent toward evil. Give us new hearts that will no longer be able to sin, even as you have promised us upon your renewal of all things. Grant that we might not be seekers of strife and conflict and war, but that we might be peacemakers, who work to bring peace between ourselves and others, and peace between others as well. Grant that our tongues might not be sharp nor our words poisonous. Grant that the words we speak might be healing and helpful. Grant that we might share your Word, and that through your Word your Spirit might bring to life more and more people as a result. We thank you for your salvation, Lord, and pray: grant that we might be a part of your kingdom's advancement in the hearts and lives of those around us.
Yes, Lord, we pray: grant even our enemies to be counted among our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray: grant them salvation not because they are worthy, but because you saved us, though we did nothing to deserve your love. Grant our enemies salvation, Lord, simply because you are merciful. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
