"The LORD Is Gracious and Merciful" - 5 November 2023

 

Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful (Psalm 111:1-4). For these reasons we make bold to adore you and to call on you.

For your holy, apostolic church, with all of her elders, bishops, pastors, deacons, teachers and parishioners, including Resurrection Lutheran, Cristo Rey, Faith Lutheran, and Messiah Lutheran Church, we pray. May their faith be growing abundantly, and their love for one another increase. May their steadfastness and faith shine brightly, even in the face of persecutions and affliction (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4). We make bold to ask because the LORD is gracious and merciful.

For this congregation; our elders and deacons; our Sunday School teachers and Women’s Ministry; our works of mercy and service through the needlework guild, RestoreOKC, and so forth; our generous aid to Project 66, Infant Crisis Services, Hope Center, Hope Pregnancy Center, and others; our teaming up with and supporting missionaries; and all you have called us to be and do, we pray. O God of peace, sanctify us completely, making us fully blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23). We make bold to ask because the LORD is gracious and merciful.

We remember those who once walked the streets with us, shopped with us, and worshipped with us (…). We are ever grateful for your grace and mercy active in their lives. Where they fell short, may we acknowledge that but for the grace of God there we would go! Where they were gracious, charitable, wholesome, godly and faithful, may we be encouraged to run the same race with them into the arms of our Lord Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We make bold to ask because the LORD is gracious and merciful.

For the nations of the world, teaming with tribes and tongues, we pray. May they seek good, and not evil, that they may live. May they hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate (Amos 5:14-15). And for these United States of America, those who govern, and for all the residents and citizens, we pray. May there be justice that rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24). We make bold to ask because the LORD is gracious and merciful.

For those in need, the poor, hungry, homeless, unemployed, sick, and lonely; for those whose marriages are rocky or already shattered on the rocks; and those finding that there’s more month than money, we pray (…). May they receive the right help at the right time in the right way. And show us how we might be part of the remedy. We make bold to ask because the LORD is gracious and merciful. And now we join our hearts and voices to pray as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father…

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