"You Form Light and Create Darkness" - 28 January 2024

 

You declared through Isaiah that 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 folks may know from one horizon to the other that you are the LORD. 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). It’s to you we pray:

Back when we were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures (Titus 3:3) you saved us according to your own mercy. In like manner, please save those who trust in their own strength, those who walk in their own darkness, those who are hostile and alienated from others and hostile and alienated from you (…). As you have been our healer and helper in days past; therefore, please restore and raise up those dealing with depression, dementia, disease, debilitation, and distress (…). You have taken care of our needs and provided for us in ordinary and extraordinary ways; please sustain those who have no idea how they’ll make it through today, this month, or the next (…).

When we were beginning as a nation you stepped in repeatedly with your providential care, brought success where there should have only been failure; victory in place of defeat; good to flourish instead of evil. Therefore, we implore you to be with our nation now, including all citizens, leaders, judges, legislators, and executors. 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.

Throughout world history you have governed and directed all the nations of the earth, given aid, brought rain on the good and the evil, directed migrations and margins, feasts and famines, scarcity and surplus; therefore, please wield the nations and national leaders. Make peace and civility to prevail between countries and between fellow citizens and may all work for the betterment of their people. Regarding those countries with mushrooming refugee camps and migrant populations, we pray for clean drinking water, sanitary conditions, food, health care, moral and communal stability, and a safe solution.

 Through persecution, plague, prosperity, and privilege you have exhibited your special providence for your church. Please continue to be with her in all places, in North America, Oklahoma, this congregation, along with St. Stephen’s UMC, Southern Hills, Spencer, and Sunnylane UMC. May your people put away falsehood and speak the truth with each other, for we are members one of another. When angry, may we not sin, so that we may not give opportunity to the devil. May there be no corrupting talk coming out of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. May we put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and slander, along with all malice. May we be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as you in Christ forgave us. May we be imitators of you, O God, as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to you (Ephesians 4:25-5:2).

All of these requests we have mentioned we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Saving Lord. And now we pray as we have been taught, saying, Our Father…

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