Praying for a world hostile to God

We live in a world that is hostile to God. They hate the idea that they are under his rule and are answerable to him.

And so Asaph recognizes that though the nations surrounding Israel hated them and wanted to destroy them, the ultimate reason for their hatred of Israel was that they hated God first.

It is a truth that Jesus himself recognized and applied to himself and his disciples. (John 15:18-25)

The day will come, though, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:10-11)

Some will do it in love and gratitude. Others will do it reluctantly and with hatred.

I think that’s what we see in this psalm.

All the world will one day recognize that God is sovereign over all, including them. (Psalm 83:18)

Some in their shame, will be destroyed, and justly so because of their sin. And so our prayer is that for those who refuse to repent, God will bring justice. After all, a God who never brings justice is not a good God.

But more than that, we pray that in their shame, they would repent and seek God’s face. (16)

Why? Because God in his grace showed mercy to us too. And he desires that no one should perish. (Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:3-4)

So let us pray for this world that is hostile to God. Pray that they would seek his face, and in his grace find him.

May they know that you alone—whose name is the Lord—are the Most High over the whole earth. (Psalm 83:18)