Author Archives: Michael Summers
If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side
Psalm 124 expresses thanksgiving and praise for the Lord who is on our side. The exuberant wording of the poem envisions the catastrophic alternative that would have occurred had God not intervened. The psalm begins with recognition of God’s protection, … Continue reading
Prayer when We Have Had Enough
Weariness saps our vision and energy. We cannot concentrate on our goals because our weariness distracts our focus. I remember a general’s embarrassment when he had an automobile accident when he drove while impaired. He told his soldiers that he … Continue reading
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
We pray for peace. We rarely pray for war or bloodshed. Some topics surface in prayers more frequently. We pray for the sick, the dying, and their families. We pray for wisdom and maturity to mark the actions and thinking … Continue reading
Prayer for Safety when Traveling to Worship
In early 2008, I was driving on a dirt road in Arizona near the border with Mexico when I had a flat tire as I crossed a dry gully. There was no cellphone signal. In the distance I could see … Continue reading
Reflecting on the Anniversary of My Son’s Death
I’ve reflected today on Psalm 90. While today is recognized in the United States this year as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 21 in 2019 is the fourth anniversary of a day that began with a telephone call informing … Continue reading
Devoted to Prayer?
When you think about activities of the Church that reveal its priorities, what comes to mind? Preaching the Bible? Observing Communion? Helping the poor? Healing the sick? Teaching our young the fundamentals of the faith? Evangelism? Foreign missions? Baptism? How … Continue reading
Prayer for Rescue from Deceit
Few experiences are so distressing as having someone lie about you. Anger and bitterness threaten to consume my soul when I am the victim of slander. The writer of Psalm 120 prays for deliverance from lies. He warns of the … Continue reading