From Psalm 119:

122 “Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.”

I sat and pondered Church.  Perplexed at her ailments, I searched to see if there was something that could be done.

It is not as though she is void of the word.  She is rather, void of understanding.  For the word is preached in her, everyday and in every corner.  What she lacks, is a firm, wise hand of leadership.

“For lack of vision the people perish”, it is written.  And the vision of God’s shepherds has been obscured by the world’s proclamation of peace.  How then can the church stand with holy strength?

I remembered a passage as I looked into these things.  “It is time for you to act, Lord; your law is being broken.”  I thought this was an appropriate prayer.

But when I view it in this context, it is not talking about reparation for sins; that is to say a heavy hand from God.  Instead it speaks of Glory.

The words are the end of an appeal to the Holy Father to glorify His holy Son.  Because the holy laws of the Living God are being broken, it is time to present the sacrifice on behalf of those who need it.

It is a difficult thing to look at the beauty of the Living God, and see the hatred for his commands that thrives in his church.  Even a passing glance will provoke some measure of pain.

But as we are told, “mercy outweighs judgement”.   We must allow the Holy Lord to reserve his right to judge.

All day long, a lament is sent to the throne of the Living God.  “Please O’ Sovereign God, purify your church.”  Hearts bent toword the Lord, like sunflowers in summer.  The Lord’s faithful people make intercession for the sins of their brothers and sisters.

But they do not call for the heavy hand of God.  They call for the water of sacrifice to be poured out afresh on the hearts of His people.  They call for a renewal of understanding.  They call for eyes to see, ears to hear, and souls full of vision to lead.

Therefore teach them.  Show them the severity of their sin.  Show them the incomparable suffering necessary to secure their release.  Teach them about his glorious hopeful promises.  Gain vision!

Holy Father:  I thank you for cutting short my folly.  I thank you for showing me these things.  The church belongs to your Holy Son.  And he will never abandon what is his.

Still, we lament, O’ Holy God!  Your covenant is being broken.  Shame covers your people, where it should be a glorious and radiant hope.  We are ashamed and do not realize it.  We are sick and wax near death.

Instead of shame there is praise, “You do well to condone all sin.  For God has commanded us to love all men”.  Was it for this that your precious blood was spilled in such great agony?  Were you glorified as first above all, that your people may remain in squalor?

Please rise up Sovereign Father, in Christ Jesus Your Holy and Righteous Son, and purify your people. 

This prayer simply finds its place among your holy things.  You will act according to your great and eternal wisdom. 

Let it be known that we did not cower in fear.  Let it be known that we stood apart to proclaim a wrong.  All of this we have done because you have loved us.  All of this we have done because you taught us this was true.

The glory is not ours.  The glory belongs to the one whose blood has written the covenant of the living God. 

Purify your church, Holy Lord Jesus.  Set us in right standing, that we may proclaim for your glory.

Amen

P.S.
A related article, of considerable value, can be found here: http://theagetocome.wordpress.com/2014/10/27/the-kairos-moment/ The title is, The Kairos Moment.

By His Grace