"The Source of All Life and Joy" - 9 July 2017


“We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because you have taken your great power and reigned” (Revelation 11.17).

Almighty and everlasting God, the source of all life and joy, who, by the jubilant announcement of the Gospel has called us to have part in your Kingdom and glory; shine powerfully into our hearts by your Word and Spirit and draw us with the constraining, compelling cords of faith, hope and love that we may heartily chose that good part which shall not be taken away from us, and may we give all diligence to make our call and election sure through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

We ask you to direct all world leaders, to include President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan; President Dési Bouterse of Suriname; and King Mswati III of Swaziland; over-rule the atrocious savagery running rampant in many nations; countermand the legitimizing of slavery, prostitution and drug-running; and may all nations come to bow the knee to the Lord Jesus, and peace and prosperity prevail in all places. Also, we have celebrated our nation’s independence this past week. Now Lord, hear our prayers for the present and future. We acknowledge that personal life, family life and national life are about far more than taxation and representation; they are about far more than freedoms to consume whatever we want, gratifying our selfishness, or securing our rugged individualisms. Bring us to see anew that you have providentially entrusted to us this republic to promote and secure liberty and justice for all – a liberty and justice that resonate with your own heart and goodness and holiness. And bring us to renew our commitment to this.

We raise up our voices grateful to you for the rains of this past week. Please, Lord, continue to provide the showers we need in the quantity we need at the time we need.

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: we humbly beseech you to behold, visit and relieve these… mercifully look upon them; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the enticements of the enemy; and give them patience under their afflictions. In good time return them to health and enable them to lead the remainder of their lives reverencing you, and grant that finally they may dwell with you in life everlasting.

Show your kindness and deploy your saving love to those who have never turned to Christ… 

Finally, Lord Jesus, we pray for your Church worldwide, including Allan AME Church; Avery Chapel; Collins Community AME Church; 1st AME Church; and Springdale Alliance Church. By your help and Spirit, may we be those who hear your words and do them that we may be like a wise man who built his house on the rock; so that when the rains fall and the floods come and the winds blow and beat on our house, it may not fall, because it will have been founded on you, the Rock. And those who hear your words but do not do them, turn them around before their sandy-foundation brings their house crashing down under the weight and whirlwind and rainstorms (Matthew 7.24-27). All of this we ask in your name so that the Father may be glorified in you by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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