Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. (13) Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, "You will not call to account"? (14) But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless. (15) Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none.

Lord, in this day and age, it is not direct persecution that afflicts me, it is the more subtle arrows of the Evil One. Pride, lust, greed, self-centeredness, stubbornness, gossip, hatred, selfishness, the list goes on. Continue to transform my heart, mind and soul to conform to Your statutes, to reflect Your holiness, to bring glory to You in all circumstances, to fill me with the righteousness, peace and joy through the Holy Spirit that is life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 81

Mid-day: 119:169-176

Evening: Psalm 7

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.