LORD, Who Forms Light and Creates Darkness - Vespers 22 November 2020


 

As you declared through Isaiah, so we affirm: you are the LORD, and there is no other, besides you there is no God; you equip people, even those who do not know you, so that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides you; you are the LORD, and there is no other. You form light and create darkness; you make well-being and create calamity; you are the LORD, who does all these things (Isaiah 45:5-7). And so, to you do we pray: O Lord, hear our prayer. 

 

Just as you did for us back when we were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures (Titus 3.3), so now through your Son Jesus Christ, save those who trust in their own strength, those who walk in darkness, those who are hostile and alienated from others and from you (…). O Lord, hear our prayer. 

 

As you have been our healer and helper in days past, please restore and raise up those dealing with – and not dealing very well with – depression, dementia, disease, debilitation, and distress (…). O Lord, hear our prayer. 

 

When we were just beginning as a nation, you stepped in repeatedly with your providential care; you brought success where there should have only been failure; victory in place of defeat; and good to flourish instead of evil. Therefore, be with our nation now. In the words of the old patriotic song we pray: America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shinning sea. America! America! God mend thine every flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law. O Lord, hear our prayer. 

 

All of these requests we have mentioned, and those that have remained silently on our hearts, we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our saving Lord. Amen.

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