Use authority carefully so it protects people rather than crushing them

Use authority mainly to get quick results, even if people get hurt

Avoid all responsibility so you never have to decide anything

Rely on fear so everyone obeys immediately

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and I need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust you as my Lord and Savior. When fear, pressure, and danger surround me, rescue me and lead my life. Amen.

Come to Jesus in the Fire

Lord, revive your Church so we do not use power like the world does. Make us courageous to obey you, gentle with the vulnerable, and unwilling to crush people for convenience. Wake us up to holiness, justice, and mercy, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your People to Stand Faithful

Father, be near everyone who feels tied down by fear, pressure, or cruelty. Protect the vulnerable, steady the frightened, and open a way of safety where human strength seems to have the last word, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Safety for the Vulnerable

Pray for leaders, parents, teachers, employers, and all who give commands: that they would use authority to serve, not to intimidate; to protect, not to harm; and to act with restraint and fairness.

Authority with Mercy

Name one place where stronger voices are pressuring you. Ask God for courage to do what is right, for calm instead of panic, and for wisdom to respond without cruelty or compromise.

Pray When You Feel Pressured

Thank God that he sees when people are bound or mistreated, that his justice is higher than human power, and that no furnace can hide the suffering of his people from him.

Thankful for God's Watchful Care

וּלְגֻבְרִ֤ין{u-le-ghuv-RIN###oo-leh-ghoov-REEN###and to men} גִּבָּֽרֵי־חַ֙יִל֙{gi-ba-REI-kha-YIL###gih-baa-REE-khah-YIHL###valiant men} דִּ֣י{DI###DEE###that} בְחַיְלֵ֔הּ{ve-kha-ye-LEH###veh-khah-yeh-LEH###in his army} אֲמַר֙{a-MAR###ah-MAHR###ordered} לְכַפָּתָ֔ה{le-kap-pa-TA###leh-kahp-pah-TAA###to bind them} לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ{le-shad-RAKH###leh-shahd-RAAKH###Shadrach} מֵישַׁ֖ךְ{MEI-shakh###MEE-shahkh###Meshach} וַעֲבֵ֣ד{va-a-VED###vah-ah-VEED###Abed} נְג֑וֹ{ne-GO###neh-GOH###Nego} לְמִרְמֵ֕א{le-mir-MEI###leh-mihr-MEE###to throw} לְאַתּ֥וּן{le-a-TUN###leh-ah-TOON###into the furnace} נוּרָ֖א{nu-RA###noo-RAA###fire} יָקִֽדְתָּֽא׃{ya-kid-TA###yaa-kihd-TAA###blazing}

Daniel 3:20 — Source TextTAB

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