"O God, Who Made the World And Everything In It" - 12 November 2017

O God, who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, who gives to all mankind life and breath and everything; and made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him, though you are actually not far from any one of us (Acts 17.24-27): we pray for all nations, including Bolivia; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Botswana; Brazil; and Brunei. Superintend their national politics, economics, education, and security so that all may have the care they need, prosper and flourish, and come to “feel their way toward” you until the knowledge of the Lord may cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11.9).

O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator, Sustainer and Sovereign over all, to whom each and everyone of us must give an account of our actions in this life: please bless our nation, our State and the Alabama Quassarte Tribal Town; by restoring the gift and value of God-ordained marriage – one man and one woman, where for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, they will love and cherish one another until death parts them; and rebuild the important, godly virtue of celibacy for those who are gifted with singleness; so that whether married or single, we may flourish in chastity and purity. Pour out on us a sufficient quantity of rains and showers that our crops may flourish, our water supplies be full and we may enjoy the plenteousness of your creation. Grant that our country, State and city may enjoy honorable industry, sound learning, and wholesome manners. Rescue us from violence, discord, confusion, pride, arrogance and every evil way. Bestow on the President of these United States, the Governor of Oklahoma, Mayor Charles Lamb and Mayor Mick Cornett, our City Council members, and all others in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth, righteousness and the fear of God, and cause them to be ever mindful of their vocation: to serve this people in justice and truth, whether freeborn, foreign born or unborn.

We are grateful, O Lord of Armies, for the veterans in our midst and the many we have known. Thank you for those who spent years being a defensive and deterring presence, those who were stationed all over the U.S. and deployed to towns and cities in faraway places, those who trained and toiled, and those who patrolled and fought. Please watch over and preserve those who are in the military now.

Good God, caring Father, take your church in hand – to include Heritage, as well as Crest View Baptist; Crestwood Baptist; Cross of Calvary Baptist; Crossroads Baptist; and Crossroads to Life Baptist churches – yes, take your church in hand. Repair the fractures and fissures; restrain all idolatry and immorality; refurnish that which is now lacking or lackluster; reorient those wooed and wowed by the temptation to build crowds rather than build a church. May the Good News of Jesus and the Good Doctrine of your Scriptures once more gain the upper hand for the glory of your name and the advancement of your world rescue operation. 

Lord God, have compassion on the grieving and hurting… Lord God, restore, refresh and reinforce those recovering…. Lord God, “Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave...” Lord God, hear our prayers, and what we have asked faithfully bring forward effectively, that you may be honored through your Son and by the Holy Spirit. Amen.