O Come... - 19 November 2023

 

O Lord Jesus Christ, who has generously given yourself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age, to deliver us from the dominance of the devil, and to deliver us from the fearful bondage of death; as our great High Priest you regard the humble prayers of all who call upon you, who call upon you in truth. Incline your ear and hear.

Regard your Holy, Universal Church which you are sanctifying, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, including this church and Cross Timbers Church, Joy Mennonite, Prairie Hills Mennonite, and Crown Heights United Methodist Church. Rectify, O Lord, and have mercy upon all the ministers, pastors, elders, and overseers of your Church: aid us to shepherd the flock of God that is among us, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as you would have us do; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in our charge, but being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2-3). And keep your Church whole and harmonious. Repair the rifts and rips in the churches and bring to nothing those unstable people who willingly twist the writings of Paul and the rest of Scriptures to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).

Reclaim, O Lord, and have mercy upon those who have evil intent toward us, who seek to entrap and ensnare us, and who rail and rant against us (…). We also pray for those who have pushed you away, all who are terribly mistaken and think they have no need of you, and those who are pioneering their own way (…). Forgive them, change their minds and directions, and may we and they be drawn together, Lord Jesus, to come, worship, bow down, and kneel before the LORD our Maker (Psalm 95:6)!

Refresh, O Lord, and have mercy upon all loaded down with a weight of care, bowed down under disease or dread, doubled over with pain or panic; also reorient and have mercy upon all who are afflicted mentally and emotionally, with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, paranoia, dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, PTSD, suicidal ideations, dissociative disorders, and other infirmities; and replenish and have mercy upon all who find trouble brewing in their homes, or misfortunes in their families (…). Surround them, one and all, with those who cherish them and can give them a hand to hold. Provide them professionals and partners through whom you may bring help, healing and hope.

Rule over, O Lord, and have mercy upon all world leaders; upon all magistrates; and upon all the inhabitants of this land and all nations. Bring us to speak the truth to one another; to render in our gates judgments that are true and make for peace; and to avoid and eschew the things you hate like devising evil in our hearts against others and loving false oaths (Zechariah 8:16).

And so, Lord Jesus, what we have here faithfully asked may we, please, effectively obtain for the honor of your name! And now we join our hearts and voices to pray as you taught us, saying, Our Father…

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