This morning, I woke to the sun just peeking over the horizon and thought, “Thank you, Lord, for another day where Your mercies are new.” Precious signs of spring are everywhere and yet there is a tangible darkness in the air due to all that is going on here in Minnesota. After reveling in the sunrise this morning, I spent some time in the Word. As the Lord would have it, I read Psalm 31 in my Bible reading plan and it fit perfectly as a prayer for what is happening here in Minneapolis. I replaced the pronouns “I” and “My” to “Minneapolis.” May you join me today in prayer today and throughout the week.

“In You, O Lord, does Minneapolis take refuge;
    let her never be put to shame;
    in Your righteousness deliver her!
Incline Your ear to Minneapolis;
    rescue her speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for her,
    a strong fortress to save her!

For You are her Rock and her Fortress;
    and for Your name’s sake You lead her and guide her;
You take Minneapolis out of the net that has been hidden for it,
    for You are her Refuge.
Into Your hand she commits her spirit;
    You have Redeemed Minneapolis, O Lord, Faithful God.

Minneapolis hates those who pay regard to worthless idols,
    but she trusts in the Lord.
She will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love,
    because You have seen her affliction;
    You have known the distress of her soul,
and You have not delivered her into the hand of the enemy;
    You have set her feet in a broad place.

Be gracious to Minneapolis, O Lord, for she is in distress;
    her eye is wasted from grief;
    her soul and her body also.
For her life is spent with sorrow,
    and her years with sighing;
her strength fails because of her iniquity,
    and her bones waste away.

Because of all of Minneapolis’ adversaries she has become a reproach,
    especially to her neighbors,
and an object of dread to her acquaintances;
    those who see her in the street flee from her.
Minneapolis has been forgotten like one who is dead;
    She has become like a broken vessel.
For Minneapolis hears the whispering of many—
    terror on every side!—
as they scheme together against her,
    as they plot to take her life.

But she trusts in You, O Lord;
    She says, “You are my God.”
Her times are in Your hand;
    rescue her from the hand of her enemies and from her persecutors!
Make Your face shine on Minneapolis, for many living in her are Your servants;
    save her in Your steadfast love!
O Lord, let Minneapolis not be put to shame,
    for there are many living inside her walls who call upon You;
let the wicked be put to shame;
    let them go silently to Sheol.
Let the lying lips be mute,
    which speak insolently against the righteous
    in pride and contempt.

Oh, how abundant is Your goodness,
    which You have stored up for those who fear You
and worked for those who take refuge in You,
    in the sight of the children of mankind!
 In the cover of Your presence You hide them
    from the plots of men;
You store them in Your shelter
    from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord,
    for He has wondrously shown His steadfast love to Minneapolis
    when she was a besieged city.
She had said in her alarm,
    “I am cut off from your sight.”
But You heard the voice and pleas for mercy of those living inside her walls
    when they cried to You for help.

Love the Lord, all you His saints!
    The Lord preserves the faithful
    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!”

I will close with this. Last evening, in my women’s Bible study, a dear sister mentioned the song, “God of This City” by Chris Tomlin. She read the lyrics, which are so fitting for this day and the days to come in the city of Minneapolis as well as in cities around this country. No matter what, we are in good hands and the Lord promises to work all things together for good to those who love Him and called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) Please take a few minutes to watch and listen.

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Let’s stay our minds on who God is; the light in the darkness, the hope to the hopeless, and the peace to the restless.

Blessings to you as you pray and stay your mind on the Lord!

Heather