Congregational Prayer - 31 August 2014 (Labor Day Weekend)

What then shall we say? If you, O God, are for us, who can be against us? You did not spare your own Son but gave him up for us all, how is it possible that you will not also with Christ graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against your elect? It is you who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at your right hand, O God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Nothing, and no one will! For in all these things we are more than conquerors through you who loved us (Romans 8.31-37). Thank you our God, our Lord, our Father!

 You, O God, upheld your Church and defended her with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm against the violence of tyranny and the wiliness of malice. Your protection extends over all, and your name is great to the ends of the earth. Continue to show yourself the good God of your people, convert their enemies or restrain their malicious counsel, and keep your people in your fear and faith through Jesus Christ (Adapted from, “Reading the Psalms with Luther,” 119). O Lord, hear our prayer.

 We beseech you on behalf of this congregation; as well as Exchange Ave Baptist Church; Fair View Baptist churches of Edmond and in OKC; Faith Crossing Baptist; and Faith Memorial Baptist; along with our Reformed chaplains; Keith Goode, Joey Wright, Paul Joyner, Timothy Fary, Mark McKellen, Chul Kim, and Kelly Moore; Thanks to you, our Father in heaven, for the countless blessings you have bestowed on us from our childhood days. Thanks to you because you so often have been our helper in spiritual and bodily need. As in the past, so be with us now and in the future to give us a joyous heart, to uphold us in trials, to strengthen us in temptation, and to comfort us by your Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ our Savior (Adapted from, “Reading the Psalms with Luther,” 73). O Lord, hear our prayer.

 Lord God, you worked creating the world in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1); also, you are still working and your Son labors with you (John 5.17). Therefore, you know the importance of labor and work. Thank you for the wholesome vocations you have blessed us with, and thank you for investing them with meaning – for all that we do we do for you (Colossians 3.23)! Be with those who are disillusioned in their careers, who find their occupations irritating, infuriating or irrelevant; be with those who are unemployed or underemployed; enrich them that what they do will be gratifying to them because it gratifies you! We also pray for our children as they grow up, move out, seeking and finding their callings – guide them, and fill them with the pleasure of good work and jobs well-done. O Lord, hear our prayer.

 Lord Jesus, spitting on the ground, making mud and smearing it on the blind man’s eye, you healed him when he washed in the pool of Siloam (John 9.1-5); therefore, using the various means of medicines and medics restore those for whom we pray…. O Lord, hear our prayer.

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