When The Righteous Cry Out

Psalms 34:17-18

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as [d]have a contrite spirit.

Quickword: When The Righteous Cry Out

My beloved brothers and sisters as we pause to honor and celebrate the life and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I believe the time for the righteous to cry out is more urgent than ever. With America so divided among political lines, many struggling in spite of their best efforts to survive, the widening gulf of wealth between the wealthiest and the least among us continues to grow. Health care disparities among people of color and women are prevalent, the urgency of the righteous to cry out is now.

This Quickword reminds us that when the righteous cry out that:

- The Lord hears the cries of the righteous

- The Lord delivers the righteous out of their trouble

- The Lord is near those with a broken heart

- The Lord saves those with a contrite spirit

Dear God in Heaven, we come before you this morning with a heart of repentance. We come knowing that there is work to be done. Our voices have gone silent, we have compromised advocacy for the least among us for the convenience of blending in. This morning, oh God, hear our cries, deliver us out of our troubles, heal our broken hearts; save us from the attacks of our enemies. God we take comfort in knowing that that you are near! Hear our cries that come before you. Thank you for those like Dr. King who have come before us, leading and advocating for us in the darkness of day. We now cry out unto You knowing that Youstill hear and answer our prayers.