May they remember that the LORD is their rock, their fortress and their deliverer. May they remember that their God is their rock, in whom they take refuge. He is their shield and the horn of their salvation, their stronghold. May they call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and be saved from their enemies.
The cords of death entangle them; the torrents of destruction are overwhelming them. The cords of the grave are coiled around them; the snares of death are confronting them. In their distress may they call to the LORD; may they cry to their God for help. From your temple hear their voices; may their cries come before you, into your ears.
May the earth tremble and quake, and the foundations of the mountains shake; may they tremble because you’re angry. May smoke rises from your nostrils; consuming fire comes from your mouth, burning coals blaze out of it. May you part the heavens and come down; dark clouds under your feet. Mount the cherubim and fly; soar on the wings of the wind.
May you make darkness your covering, your canopy around you--the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of your presence clouds advance, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. May you thunder from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounding. May you shoot your arrows and scatter [the enemies], great bolts of lightning and route them. May the valleys of the sea be exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.
May you reach down from on high and take hold of the persecuted church; draw them out of deep waters. May you rescue them from their powerful enemy, from their foes, who are too strong for them. Their enemies confront them in the day of their disaster, but the LORD is their support. May you bring them out into a spacious place; rescue them because you delight in them.
May it be so, O Lord. May it be so.
Amen & amen.
* Based on Psalm 18:1-19
