Dear Lord Jesus,
We pray that you would give President Bush Strength and Courage to lead this Country. We pray that you would give him Godly wisdom in his decisions. We pray that you would give him patience with the conflicts he has to deal with. We pray for comfort for his family in these times of trouble. Finally we pray for our troops protection in this battle both physically and spiritually.

In Jesus’ Holy Name,
Amen

July 24, 2007

Anger Management

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READ: Daniel 3:8-20

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. —Philippians 2:3

Orlando, Florida, is home to several large theme parks that draw thousands of vacationing families each year. But last year, a health magazine labeled Orlando as the “Angriest City in America.” They based that title on things like violent assaults, road rage, and the percentage of men who had high blood pressure.

King Nebuchadnezzar, “in rage and fury,” commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego be brought before him because they would not worship the gold image he had set up (Dan. 3:13). When he didn’t get his way, he was “full of fury, and the expression on his face changed” toward the three men (v.19).

All of us struggle with anger. But anger is not always wrong. “Be angry, and do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). We should get angry when we see injustice in our world. But most often our anger, like Nebuchadnezzar’s, comes from a far less noble place—our own self-interest and pride. If our temper gets the best of us, we can lose control of what we say and do. Paul challenged us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Phil. 2:3).

When we begin to put others first, we may find we’ve taken a first step toward managing our anger.

Spirit of God, please change my heart,
And give me a new desire;
I want to be a man of peace,
Not controlled by anger’s fire. —K. De Haan

When a person’s temper gets the best of him, it often reveals the worst of him.

Bible in One Year: Psalms 35-36; Acts 25

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. onsider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. {cruel...: Heb. hatred of violence} (Ps.25:2,3)

O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. (KJV) (Ps.25:20-22)

Amen, and Israel will be Delivered Out of All his Troubles, and Lo, Thine Enemies O Lord, Lo, Thine Enemies Shall Perish; all the Workers of Iniquity Shall be Scattered! (Ps.92:9)

Dear Father our King, we Rejoice in You; we Exalt Your Great and Glorious Name. We Love You and Worship You for the Salvation You Bring to us in Christ. We Thank You from our Hearts for Your Love, Knowing we Deserve only Wrath and Contempt. You Care for us; You have Cleansed us from Sin, and Made us Pure in Your Holy Sight. Receive our Worship, our King of Grace, and be Magnified in the Eyes of Your Church.

We Lift to You our Brethren in Christ, those who are Persecuted throughout the Earth. For Thy Name they are Hated, O God, because their Enemies Hate Thy Son. Grant Thy Children Comfort, our Lord, and a Sense of Thy Presence of Peace. We Pray for their Protection and Care; Please Immerse them in Your Holy Strength. They Endure the Fires but for a Moment, but their Enemies Fires will Never Die.

We Plead for Revival for our Sin-Soaked Land; Please Awaken us, and Turn us to our King. O Father of Compassions, we Long to Hear Testimonials of Grace. May it be So, Your Excellency, to the Praise and Glory of Your Name. Be Pleased, our Abba, to Blanket our Brother-President with Your Care. Please Guard our Troops, Great King of Saints, with the Power of Thine Omnipotent Hand.

Please Bless Everyone who Comes Here to Pray, Granting them Manna from the Lord. We Glorify You, our Most Holy God, and Thank You for Hearing our Prayers. In His Majesty's Name, and for His Glory, amen.