"Lord, You Have Been Our Dwelling Place" - 6 September 2015 AM and PM
Sunday Morning:
Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and
the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90.1-2).
Lord God, we pray for all Christian ministers, pastors, priest,
Bishops and elders, especially in the greater Oklahoma City area. As you
delight to bring about by your grace what the weakness of our nature cannot
achieve; we pray that by your holy peace, power, presence and purity, your
Gospel would go forth in their ministry as light to illuminate the ignorant;
life to revive the dead; fire to purify the unclean; hope to fortify the
hopeless; and help to raise up the helpless.
For all of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are beat
down, bloodied and bullied by persecutors and pursuers, in Africa, the Middle
East, Asia and all other places: grant them your relief, buttress them in bold
belief, and give them words to bear faithful witness no matter the outcome. And
for their oppressors we pray for you to infiltrate through to their hearts and
minds, bringing them to lively faith in Christ Jesus; and if they will not repent
of their violence and victimizing, then we ask with the psalmist: “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his
wickedness to account till you find none” (Psalm 10.12, 15).
We ask you to relieve, restore, raise up and revive all
those who suffer physically, mentally and spiritually …; give them courage and
hope in their troubles; and bring them to lift up their voices in joyful praise
for your deliverances.
Look earnestly on
our nation, Holy God; where there is evil lurking behind doors of conference
rooms, depots and households, bring the light of your justice. Where there is
hopeless despair in our alleyways, along pathways, and sluffing through passageways, rain down your refreshing grace.
From the Whitehouse, to the packing house, on to our house, steer us toward healthy
civility, affable community, industrious prosperity, and compassionate charity.
Finally, take note of those nations and countries that find
themselves ripped apart by rivalries, revolutions and raging ruffians; and
restore law and order; health care and education; safety and safe drinking
water. For other lands facing fiscal hardships and misfortunes, bring their
leaders and people to succeed in establishing economic stability for the good
of all. And those countries who are enjoying times of tranquility, thank you.
May those times be long-lasting.
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Sunday Evening:
You are the LORD, our Redeemer, who formed us from the womb;
who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the
earth by yourself, who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of
diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish, who
confirms the word of your servant and fulfills the counsel of your messengers
(Isaiah 44.24-25). It is to you we come, interceding on behalf of others,
knowing that you can fulfill all your holy will.
We pray for your Church throughout the nations, including Community
of Faith Church; Crossings Community Church; Heartland Community Church; Our
Lord’s Community Church; and Westmoore Community Church; in Paul’s
words, may your people be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in
love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5.1-2). O
Lord, hear our prayer.
Look on this congregation with your favor, O our God. As the
Psalmist said, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant”
(Psalm 35.27b). Give us your shalom,
your welfare; and then delight in what you have given us! “Give what you command,
and command what you will” (Augustine, Confessions, 10.29). May your shalom infuse our interactions with one
another, fill us with your peace that passes all understanding, and fuel us to
go forward in Jesus’ Gospel and Goodwill way. O Lord, hear our prayer.
As our people, and members of our families, ……. travel this
holiday week end, keep them safe, and bring them home securely. O Lord, hear our prayer.
We intercede on behalf of those who are tussling with poor
health…, scant finances…, marital scraps …, family tensions …, deep-seated dismay…,
inner distresses…, and occupational concerns …, Please, Father, bring them
through their distresses, and out the other side, stronger, more joyful and
resilient that in the end they may raise their hearts to you in thanksgiving. O Lord, hear our prayer.
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