"You Are the LORD" - 29 January 2017
As you declared through Isaiah, so we affirm: You are the LORD, and
there is no other, besides you there is no God; you equip people, even those
who do not know you, so that people may know, from the rising of the sun and
from the west, that there is none besides you; you are the LORD, and there is
no other. You form light and create darkness; you make well-being and create
calamity; you are the LORD, who does all these things (Isaiah 45.5-7). And so
to you do we pray:
Just as you did for us back when we were once foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures (Titus 3.3), so now through your
Son Jesus Christ, save those who trust in their own strength, those who walk in
darkness, those who are hostile and alienated from others and from you…
As you have been our healer and helper in days past, please restore and
raise up those dealing with – and not dealing very well with – depression, dementia,
disease, debilitation, and distress…
In the same way that you have taken care of our needs and provided for
us over the years, in ordinary and surprising ways, please sustain and support
those who have no idea how they’ll make it through today, or to the end of the
month, or through next month…
When just beginning as a nation, you stepped in repeatedly with your
providential care; brought success where there should have only been failure;
victory in place of defeat; good to flourish instead of evil; therefore be with
our nation now, and all of our citizens, leaders, judges, legislators, and
executors, to include our Oklahoma State Senators, such as, Dave Rader; Mike Schulz; Paul Scott; Ron
Sharp; Wayne Shaw; and Ralph Shortey. In the words of the old patriotic
song we pray: America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy
good with brotherhood, from sea to shinning sea. America! America! God mend
thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.
Throughout world history you have governed and directed all the nations
of the earth; given aid and brought rain on the good and the evil; directed
migrations and margins, feasts and famines, scarcity and surplus; therefore
watch over and wield the nations and national leaders, to include Prokopis Pavlopoulos; Cécile La Grenade;
Alpha Conde; José Mário Vaz; David A. Granger and Jocelerme Privert.
Make peace and civility to prevail between countries and between fellow
citizens, and may all work for the betterment of their people. Those countries
with mushrooming refugee camps, we pray for clean drinking water, sanitary
conditions, food, health care, moral and communal stability, and a safe solution.
Through persecution, plague,
prosperity, and privilege over the centuries, you have exhibited your special
providence for your church; please continue to be with her in all places, in North
America, Oklahoma, this congregation, along with these churches in the OKC area;
International Harvest Church; Israel
Chapel; JesuCristo Es Mi Fortaleza; Journey Covenant Church; and Joy Mennonite
Church. In the words of Paul, may we put away
falsehood and speak the truth with each other, for we are members one of
another. When angry may we not sin, so that we may not give opportunity to the devil.
May there be no corrupting talk coming out of our mouths, but only such as is
good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who
hear. May we put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander, along
with all malice. May we be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, as God in Christ forgave us. May we be imitators of God, as beloved
children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a
fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 4.25-5.2).
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