Romans 8:28a - Do It Again, Lord!

Rom.8:28a: Do It Again, Lord!

Rom 8:28a (KJV)  And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God,

Do It Again, Lord by Max Lucado

Dear Lord,
We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open
a sleepy eye and think, "What a horrible dream." But we won't,
will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge
towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no
dream and, dear Father, we are sad. There is a ballet dancer who will
no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has
lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher.  Cora ran a food
pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only
three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?) We are sad,
Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well.
We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But
we didn't. And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg
you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can
do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we
plead, "Do it again, Lord.  Do it again." Remember Joseph? You rescued
him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord.
Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the
angel of death. We have children too, Lord. Do it again. And Sarah?
Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You
inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope.  The
doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took
Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you,
David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord,
for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need
leaders. Do it again, dear Lord. Most of all, do again what you did at
Calvary. What we saw here last Tuesday, you saw there that Friday.
Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing.
Just as the smoke eclipsed out morning, so the darkness fell on your
Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity
was pierced. And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried
behind a rock. But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After
three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth
and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it
again, Lord, Grant us a September Easter. We thank you, dear Father,
for these hours of unity. Christians are praying with Jews.
Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by
the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity.
And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to
bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we
would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do. Let your
mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families.
Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience.
Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who
remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might
believe. And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've
used her to heal a hurting world. DO IT AGAIN LORD, DO IT AGAIN.
Through Christ,
Amen.