What kind of prayer would we ask of God in a troubled world? Let’s look at Isaiah 64.
Have we ever felt like asking God to come down and wake the world up?
Oh that you would tear the heavens, that you would come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles the brushwood, and the fire causes the water to boil. Make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at your presence! (Isa 64:1-2 WEB)
Did God make His presence known in ages past? Does He hide when we do wrong?
When you accomplished wonders beyond all our expectations; when you came down, mountains quaked before you. From ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any god but you who acts on behalf of those who wait for him! You look after those who gladly do right; they will praise you for your ways. But you were angry when we sinned; you hid yourself when we did wrong. (Isa 64:3-5 CEB)
Is any one of us really perfect enough to stand before the one true God?
We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away. No one worships in your name or remains faithful. You have turned your back on us and let our sins melt us away. (Isa 64:6-7 CEV)
Do we ask our heavenly Father not to be so terribly angry with us?
But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people. (Isa 64:8-9 ESV)
Are our holiest of places desolate because of neglect and sin? Will God always give us what we deserve or show mercy?
Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion has become a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. Lord, after all this, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict severely? (Isa 64:10-12 HCSB)
Are any of us really righteous within ourselves or do we need God’s righteousness?
As it is written, “Not even one person is righteous. No one understands. No one searches for God. All have turned away. They have become completely worthless. No one shows kindness, not even one person! Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They run swiftly to shed blood. Ruin and misery characterize their lives. They have not learned the path to peace. They don’t fear God. (Rom 3:10-18 ISV)
What kind of prayer would we ask of God in a troubled world? You decide!
