"Let Them Praise the Name of the LORD" - 17 March 2024

 

(From Psalm 148) Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! From the highest to the lowest, from the nearest to the furthest, may all come and worship you, submitting to you, praying to you, cherishing you as their greatest good and deepest joy. Therefore, we pray for you to give our missionaries assets and guide their achievements to this end. And we pray that you would reclaim and rescue those who are outside of Christ (…).

Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. We pray for the earth that its vast resources will be replenished and maintained. Bring us rains and showers in ways and quantities that are most fitting. Settle the shaking, shifting fault lines and tectonic plates that cause so much damage. Restrain destructive floods and wildfires and reverse devastating droughts. Prosper the scientific and medical studies that are good, right, moral, and honorable. And for those involved in research that is dehumanizing and demoralizing, bring them to see that they are not gods, and that “can” does not mean “should”.

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!  May our farmlands produce bountifully, and our cattle be plentiful. Enrich the labors of our farmers and ranchers, fisheries and those who harvest the seas, as well as those involved in industry and manufacturing. May their work be safe and successful and help them to produce in ways that respect the earth and its resources.

Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! For our own country and all peoples of this world, we pray “O God of love, O King of peace, Make wars throughout the world to cease; The wrath of sinful man restrain; Give peace, O God, give peace again.” We pray this especially for Ukraine, Haiti, Russia, Israel, Ethiopia, Gaza, and Somalia. Also, guide our nation in ways right and good, restrain evil and further wholesome morality.

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the LORD! Help your global Church, including this congregation, and First India Pentecostal Church of God, First Pentecostal Church, Greater First Deliverance Church, and Holy Land Temple. Oh, that we would rightly exalt your name, appropriately make clear your majesty, fittingly declare and exhibit your Gospel and sound doctrine, and joyfully make disciples of all nations. And be with those who are sick, sad, or struggling (…). Restore and refresh them that they would rise up and praise your exalted name. And now we join all of our requests together to pray as we have been taught: Our Father…

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