"Ascribe to the LORD..." Congregational Prayer - 9 June 2019

(This congregational prayer is dressed up in Psalm 29)

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Royal and regal God, who sits above all that claims our allegiances; who is enthroned even over all who are deified and idolized. We pray that you would bring all self-made divas and divinities (like youthfulness, money, health, musicians, movie stars, politicians; and whatever else we are prone to fawn over and grovel before) to see that there is no authority or acclaim outside of you and your control. Raise up the humble and cast the wicked to the ground.

 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. We beseech you that your voice would go far and wide; your word would run free and unshackled so that all may hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. To this end, we pray for our team as we head out soon to Anadarko; and to this end we also pray for our July Mega Sports VBS; as well as for the Youngs; Iversons; Pardigons; Berrys; Shepherds; the Morrises and the Hatefields; may your work prosper in our hands, O God of glory! And may the Holy Spirit of Pentecost draw in many from every region and realm, to come and rely and submit to Jesus Christ the Lord!

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. Please supply us with moderate portions of rains and showers. Watch over us during this tornado season and preserve us. Grant that our farming, cattle industry, trade and commerce would burgeon. Raise up, restored and rejoicing, all who are presently going through rigorous regimens of treatment and those being ruthlessly wracked by grief, guilt, and depression… And Lord, bless the married and the single, filling our marriages and singleness with your joy, peace, health and most of all – with you.

The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” Preserve our State as we recover from the floods; and help those who have lost much. Restrain and rule our nation that all may continue to be able to freely enter your temple and cry out “Glory to God in the highest.” 

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace! Holy God our Father, we implore your continued protection, provision and promotion of your Church here, world-over, as well as Calvary Nazarene Church, Bethany First Nazarene Church, Canadian Hills Church, and Southwest Church of the Nazarene. Give strength to your people, bless your people with peace, and show that you are enthroned as king forever. Finally, watch over, guide and lead our General Assembly as it meets at the end of this month. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

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