"We Give You Thanks, O God" - 12 July 2020

“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: please shine powerfully into our hearts the light of your love by your Word and Spirit and draw us with the cords of faith, hope and love that we may heartily chose that good part which shall not be taken away from us. And through us, may the Gospel of your Kingdom and grace reach out to our neighborhoods and networks, that many may belong and believe with us as we thrive in truth, worship and Christian love.

We ask you to direct all world leaders and governing bodies; over-rule the atrocious savagery rambling through many nations; countermand the legitimizing of human-trafficking of every sort and drug-running; and may all nations come to the Lord Jesus, and peace and prosperity prevail in all places.

Lord, we have recently celebrated our nation’s independence with thanksgiving. Now hear our prayers for the present and future. We acknowledge that personal life, family life, social 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. Therefore, bring the inhabitants of this land to see anew that you have providentially entrusted us with 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. Bring us all to renew our commitment to this. Further, we thank you for the refreshing rains recently, and raise up our voices imploring you to continue to provide the showers we need in the quantity we need at the time we need.

O Lord our God, our only help in time of need: we humbly beseech you to watch over and relieve these (…). Mercifully comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the enticements of the enemy; give them patience under their afflictions; and in your good time return them to health, enabling them to lead the remainder of their lives reverencing you.

Finally, Lord Jesus, we pray for your Church worldwide, including South Gate Baptist Church; Trinity Missionary Baptist; Antioch Fellowship Church; and Bethany Jernigan Memorial Church. By your help and Spirit, may we be those who hear your words and do them that we may be like the 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, please 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.