"You Are the Rock" - Vespers, 23 January 2022

 

LORD God, our Father, you are the Rock, whose work is perfect, for all your ways are justice. You are a God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright are you (Deuteronomy 32:4). Thank you for being all of this in yourself; and being all of this for us. Now O Lord, hear our prayer.

O God, most holy, wise, and powerful Preserver and Governor of all your creatures and all of our actions: Keep us in health of body and soundness of mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and charity with our neighbor; and further all of our lawful undertakings with your blessing.  In our labor strengthen us; in our pleasure purify us; in our difficulties direct us; in our perils defend us; in our troubles comfort us; and supply all our needs, according to the riches of your grace in Christ Jesus. O Lord, hear our prayer.

Father, we pray for those we know from our daily dealings, neighbors, people we meet at the grocery store or outside Walmart, as well as those under the bridges and intersections holding their cardboard signs; people who are in real need, and people who play on the vulnerabilities and emotions of others; people who mishandle their resources and people who play for drugs and drink; people who are genuinely poor and those who are being devious and deceitful (…). First, help us to fathom and perceive who it is that really needs help, and how best to help them in ways that will not finance their self-destruction. But also, grant to them all a new way, your new way that they may be freed from their lifestyles and life-long habits. O Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray that you would be with those in our neighborhoods where we live (…). Turn our suburbs and subdivisions into real neighborhoods and communities of caring people who treat one another with respect, interest, kindness and friendliness and look out for each other’s best interests. O Lord, hear our prayer.

We ask you to be with our friends at Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church in Vancouver BC, and all of the churches in Canada. Fill their congregations with hope, peace, and joy. May they be a bright light beckoning those who are walking in the darkness; a refuge for those fleeing the storms raging in their lives and hearts. Preserve and protect them from unjust and ungodly government intrusions. Turn the heart of the Canadian Parliament to see the folly they are pursuing and to back off with haste. “Arise, O LORD! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O LORD! Let the nations know that they are but men” (Psalm 9:19-20)! O Lord, hear our prayer.

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