"Hear Our Prayer" - 22 September 2024

 

Father, because of your Son Jesus the Messiah; because of your Holy Spirit by whom your love is poured into our hearts; and because of your strongly guaranteed promise, we make bold to pray to you.

Bring the unruliness and agitation of all the nations of this world to a place of peace, orderliness, and the rule of just law so that peaceful and healthy prosperity might prevail, your church may live quietly and safely in all places, and your Gospel run swiftly and unhindered.

This brings us to pray for those who lead the various nations, to include our own President, Governor, and Mayor. Surround them with those who will boldly and wisely counsel them to do right, defend the right, and lead their people to that which is right. Guide each to recognize that their office is not theirs to dispose of as they chose, but rather is given by you and accountable to you. Bring them to recognize that they – one and all – will stand before you, the Judge of the living and the dead to give an account of how they have led and lived. And may they govern, adjudicate and act in ways that are honorable, admirable, and noble.

Direct in our country those who speak where many listen, post what many see, broadcast what many watch, and write what many read – whether on the internet, print, radio, or television – that they may do their part in helping to make the hearts of our people wise, our minds sound, and our desires virtuous.

Rain down health on the sick and ailing, fortify those receiving treatment for serious diseases, provide stability for those troubled in mind and heart, and consolation and hope for the grieving (…).

Consider the needs of this congregation. As you have called us to liberty, may we not use our liberty as an opportunity to serve the flesh, but through love to serve one another.[1] Also, we implore you to revive, enrich, guide, and empower your church throughout the world, to include New Hope Baptist, New Hope Christian, New Hope Church of Christ, and New Life Church, that we all may confidently trust in your Son Jesus Christ for our hope and salvation, crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, and live and walk in the Spirit.

Finally, look in mercy on these who have yet to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered in the Gospel, and on these who have strayed away from the Faith once for all delivered to your people (…). O God, hear our prayer; give ear to the words of our mouth, for Christ’s sake.[2] And now we join together to pray as we have been taught, saying, Our Father…

[1] Galatians 5:13
[2] Psalm 54:2