Intercession - II

(a prayer to God on behalf of mankind)

As thou a cherubim of flashing sword
Stationed before the gate of Paradise
To thwart return of Eden's homesick ward
Or worse, Satan's invasion, lord of lies; [1]

As thou to guard your chosen people's course
Athwart the red sea, lit a sheet of flame
Against fell Pharaoh's onset, men and horse, [2]
Consuming fire to win eternal fame; [3]

As thou, victorious at Golgotha
Over all power and principality
Made public spectacle of Lucifer [4]
And Death, enforcing immortality; [5]

As thou the angel of the Lord sent out
To put to death the military crew
Of Nineveh, setting their king to rout
Before his sons at temple altar slew; [6]

As thou dispatched him by the way he came
And overthrew the soldier's arms and helm,
Proving the mighty weak [7] in waged wargame,
That the true battle's fought in heavenly realm; [8]

Now that another Pharaoh is installed
Who slaughters in the guise of Liberation,
Thy angels at his blasphemies appalled,
His self-elect intent on domination;

Now that thy chosen people have become
Pharaohs themselves and co-conspirators,
Unleash the power of Heav'n, [9] thy kingdom come [10]
Protecting Heaven's true inheritors. [11]

We, peoples of the earth, now put to flight,
Raise up our outcry to the divine throne,
Call on thy providence and proven might,
O Lord, who thine own self can not disown. [12]

As thou hast formerly performed such feat,
Arise again, destruction to amend.
Secure thy foe's subjection at thy feet, [13]
Contend with those who would with us contend. [14]

June 2004

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[1]      Genesis 3:24

[2]      Exodus 14:19-20

[3]      Exodus 15:1-21, 24:17

[4]      Colossians 2:15

[5]      1 Corinthians 15:54-57

[6]      2 Kings 19: 32-37

[7]      Ezekiel 34:16; 1 Corinthians 1:25-27

[8]      Ephesians 6:12

[9]      Daniel 4:35; Matthew 11:12

[10]     Matthew 6:10

[11]     Psalm 91:1-16

[12]     2 Timothy 2:13

[13]     Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 10:13

[14]     Psalm 35:1