Cue Bill Maher

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud. 

Psalm 123:3-4

This prayer is still very appropriate in an age when New Atheists now wildly attack Christianity with all the subtlety of a mixed martial arts cage fighter. It's Thunderdome in the religious arena. And contempt for faith is a new kind of cool in this world.

This is scorn for God and contempt for His rule. And God will easily fend for Himself quite nicely, thank you. But we His people should pray for His strength, protection, and grace to permeate our interactions with those who oppose Him. Why? Because He will use us to make His case!

We are still the means God chooses to spread the message of salvation and love to the world. Even those who oppose God are people for whom Christ willingly and lovingly suffered. We may wind up doing the same for His sake. Jesus promised His disciples they would be persecuted. It's OK. God is in control. He is easily winning. No atheist attack alarms Him or ever diminishes His authority. The fighters are swinging at air. But He will have mercy on us when we are held in contempt for being His people.