Read Psalm 80:1-7 and 17-19

Read Psalm 80:1-7 and 17-19

Listen to us, O Shepherd of Israel;

hear us, leader of your flock.

Seated on your throne above the winged creatures,

²           reveal yourself to the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.

Show us your strength;

come and save us!

³     Bring us back, O God!

Show us your mercy, and we will be saved!

⁴     How much longer, Lord God Almighty,

will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

⁵     You have given us sorrow to eat,

a large cup of tears to drink.

⁶     You let the surrounding nations fight over our land;

our enemies insult us.

⁷     Bring us back, Almighty God!

Show us your mercy, and we will be saved!

¹⁷   Preserve and protect the people you have chosen,

the nation you made so strong.

¹⁸   We will never turn away from you again;

keep us alive, and we will praise you.

¹⁹   Bring us back, Lord God Almighty.

Show us your mercy, and we will be saved.

Think

Israel's story is our story, it is the world's story.  Moments when we do what is right and we follow God's paths - and moments when we stray.

The Psalmist prays for the restoration of the nation.

Pray

Pray for restoration in your life.  Your church.  Your relationships.  Your country.

"Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved." (Psalm 80:19 NRSV)