"O God of Our Salvation" - 19 November 2017

O God of our salvation, who visits the earth and waters it; who greatly enriches it; who provides us grain, waters the furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth; who crowns the year with your bounty and makes the pastures of the wilderness overflow so that the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, and they shout and sing together for joy (Psalm 65.9-13). We join all creation as we approach Thanksgiving Day, remembering your rich goodness, and rejoicing!

God of the Ages and Generations; thank you for our forbearers in the faith who have gone before us, the examples they have left us, and benefit of their wisdom they have bequeathed to us. Just as we honor our fathers and mothers, may we always honor our fathers and mothers in the faith, even in light of all of their shortcomings and sins. Brace and bolster your people who are presently walking in the path of martyrdom and maltreatment, especially in Egypt, Iraq, N. Korea, South America, Sudan, and other hostile places. Bring reformation, reclamation and resilience to your church in North America. And be with this congregation, Crown Heights Baptist Church; Del Baptist Temple; Del View Baptist Church; and Dickson Baptist Church, that we may take care that we are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose our own stability. But rather that we would grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (2 Peter 3.17-18).

You who have kept count of our tossings, have put our tears in your bottle, and have logged them into your ledger (Psalm 56.8); hear the vocal and silent lamentations of those aggrieved and anguished…Hold them close, dry their tears, and give them undying hope.

O you who hear the hurts and see the wounds of those wronged by others…, we implore you to help us to bless those who persecute us; bless and not curse them. Help us to rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Help us to repay no one evil for evil, but to give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on us, to live peaceably with all. Help us to not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12.14-21).

You who are YHWH raphe – the LORD our healer; and YHWH yir’eh – the LORD who provides: pour out your sustaining strength and refreshing rest on all those aching and agonizing, hurting and healing, weak and weary…

O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who promised to our forbearers that through their offspring you would bless all of the families and nations of the earth: take care for all countries, tribes and clans of this world, to include Bulgaria; Burkina Faso; Burma; and Burundi, the United States of America, and the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma. Arrange and organize local, national and international affairs in such ways as will promote and progress wholesome goodness, life, peace, security, welfare, safety, sanitary and nourishing produce, and good health. Give your people favor in all lands, that they may be part of your promise to bless all nations through Jesus Christ the offspring of Abraham; and may your Gospel run freely!

Good Father, we ask all of these requests because you invite us to draw near to you with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a Father who is able and ready to help us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.