Vespers - 25 February 2018


(Governed and Governing): O God, you have shown us what is good, and what you require of us; that we are to do justly, to love mercy, and the walk humbly before you (Micah 6.8). Throughout this nation guide us – the citizens and the civil authorities – that we will be a people who do justly at home, in the business world, the courtrooms, the legislative halls, and the executive offices; that we would be a nation who loves mercy, who seeks to work mercy out in all of our actions, affections and assessments. And that we, the governed and the governing, would always walk humbly before you. Have mercy on our nation, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord, hear our prayer.

(Persecuted): Lord God, the Almighty, we persist in praying for your people in hard places – especially where they face severe, threatening pressure, intimidation and maltreatment for the sake of Christ and his Gospel…Fortify them that they will remain true and faithful witnesses no matter what; break the arm of power that is raised against them (Psalm 10.15); and smash the teeth that seek to devour them (Psalm 3.7). Give relief to your people; vindicate them, O God, and defend their cause against an ungodly people; from the deceitful and unjust man deliver them (Psalm 43.1)! Show them a sign of your favor, that those who hate them may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped your people and comforted them (Psalm 86.17). O Lord, hear our prayer. 

(Addicted and Abused): Mighty Savior – mighty over death and the devil; mighty over addictions and obsessions; mighty over coercions and cruelties; mighty to save and mighty to sustain! We pray for the addicted and those abused…that you would surround them and fill them (body, heart, mind and soul – their whole being) with your liberating strength and your undefeatable love! Be with their families, so that they may be like Jarius who ran to you in desperation, crying out to you for his dying and dead daughter, and his faith was not in vain. Therefore give them hope, steady their nerves, calm their fears, and grant them to see you mightily liberating their addicted and abused loved ones. And grant us the good sense and the guts to know when and how to step in to protect either. O Lord, hear our prayer.

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