"Who Heals the Brokenhearted and Binds Their Wounds" - 9 October 2022

 

Mighty God, Loving Father, who sent your Son, Jesus Christ to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified (Isaiah 61:2-3). In this confidence we lift up our hearts and hands and voices to give you praise, to thank you, and to rejoice in your goodness!

Creator and Sustainer, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; we pray for the nations and peoples of the world; for our own country, and for our friends, foes and family. Please execute justice for the oppressed; give food to the hungry; set the prisoners free, specifically those who are innocent or unjustly imprisoned; open the eyes of the blind; lift up those who are bowed down; pour out love on the righteous; watch over the sojourners; uphold the widow and the fatherless; and bring the way of the wicked to ruin; for you, O God, reign forever even unto all generations. Praise the LORD (Psalm 146:6-10)!

Lord God who forgives all our iniquity, who heals all our diseases; who redeems our life from the pit; who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy; who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 103:3, 4; 147:3): there are loads of pain and grief from these last few weeks. There is agony and anguish from floods and hurricanes. But there is the quieter grief of our neighborhoods, with the sadness and woe that will never make it into the police blotters or the news media. We pray for them all (…). Have mercy, O God, and bring hope, and renewal.

Lord Jesus, you who loved the church and gave yourself up for her; smile on your church world over, along with this congregation, and Amber First Baptist, Baptist Temple, Bellevue Baptist, and Berry Road Baptist Church. According to your plan and work, do sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, and present the her to yourself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:24-27).

Lord of Glory, who urges us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, with eagerness to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3), we pray for our Presbytery meeting here on Tuesday. As you know, we live in a society where Christian morals are coming unraveled, and our fellow citizens seem to be coming untethered. This increases our own concerns and fears in our congregations, our denomination of your church, and our presbytery. Free us from this anxiety and help us to have clear heads and clean hearts as we deliberate for the good of your church. We also ask for all the administrative details to be concluded free of trouble. We implore your presence and Spirit to be manifest during the worship. And we beseech you for deepening ties of brotherly love.

And now we join our hearts and voices to pray as we have been taught, Our Father…

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