Congregational Prayer - 8 February 2015 PM


{In this prayer we're being guided by Psalm 4}

 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer (Psalm 4.1)! We know, O God, that you are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth (Psalm 145.18); and we have been assured with your strong promises that if we ask in Jesus’ name you will hear us and answer us for his sake (John 14.12-14). Therefore, in your Son’s name, answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness.

 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him (Psalm 4.2-3).  Holy God, we ask you to give strength, protection, stability and proficiency to your Church in all places, including this congregation; Shield of Faith Missionary Baptist Church; Shields Boulevard Baptist; Siloam Baptist; Southern Hills Baptist; and Southern Oak Freewill Baptist Church. May your hand be on this congregation at this time, in the decisions and direction-seeking, as well as for our Mission trip to Carnegie, our Outreach VBS and our involvement with the Good News Festival in August. And where your family is being harmed, hacked, hounded or hampered by the evil one and his minions, grant deliverance. Set apart the godly for yourself and hear when we call to you. O Lord, hear our prayer.

 For those who are in trouble, turmoil, trial, temptation or toil, help them…grant those who ought to be angry, to be angry, and not sin…; that others who should reflect, that they would ponder in their own hearts on their beds, and be silent…. And that all would offer right sacrifices, and put their trust in you, O LORD (Psalm 4.4-5). Restore with health, relieve their pain, and bring them close to your bosom. O Lord, hear our prayer.

 O God, there are many who say, “Who will show us some good?” Please lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD, and put more joy in our heart than they have when their grain and wine abound (Psalm 4.6-7). Prosper our country economically and educationally; bless our farmers and cattlemen this year; provide the right amounts of rain that we may thrive; keep our government officials from evil against themselves and from criminal leanings from themselves; direct them in decisions and designs that will foster civility, decency and wholesomeness in this land. O Lord, hear our prayer.

 Similarly, we ask you to give peace in our time. Those places that find themselves in war, bloodshed and brutality, cause justice, fairness and order to prevail so that evil will be put down and goodness will triumph. For those lands and territories that find themselves in a time of quietness, make that quietness strong and resilient. We ask these things for both cases, so that the peoples may enjoy some measure of goodwill, that your Church may be preserved whole and healthy, and that obstacles to the free run of your Gospel would be brought down. O Lord, hear our prayer.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4.8). Thank you that relying on you we can sleep and dwell in safety. Forgive us our times of inner turmoil that come from our own stewing and fretting, and bless us this evening with refreshing rest that tomorrow we may rise up and sing your praises. O Lord, hear our prayer.

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