This Sunday, our church held our annual “Walk to the Manger.” In the preparation for this moving drama, the director asked us during the song, “Deliver Us,” to think of things the people cried out to God, for deliverance in Bible times; and then to think of the things we needed God to deliver us from in the here and now.

At one point in the presentation, a high priest declares the Isaiah 9:6 scripture which reads “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (NASB).

In the time of Jesus, the people needed deliverance from the Roman government’s ever-increasing taxes and brutality.

It wasn’t too much of a stretch to bring that need of deliverance into today’s world. We might, like them, pray:

Lord Jesus,

Deliver us from our disobedience of Your word,
from the spirit of murder in abortion clinics
that spills into our public places and private homes.

Deliver us from greed that causes married couples
to desire other people’s husbands and wives
rather than their own.

Deliver us from worship of man-made things
rather than worship of You, Father,
the Creator of all.

Deliver us from our hearts of stone
that rebels against You and your Word,
given to bring us abundant life.

Grant us Your gift of repentance,
that we may turn from our wicked ways
and receive Your forgiveness.

That we may walk a blameless path before You,
to please You in all respects,
to bear much good fruit to Your glory, praise, and honor.

I wonder what might happen if we prayed that prayer with our whole heart.