O LORD, Who Created and Formed... - 9 August 2026

O LORD, who created the heavens (you are God!), who formed the earth and made it (you established it; you did not create it empty, you formed it to be inhabited!), you have spoken and said: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isaiah 45:18-19). It is to you we come to seek your face and call for help.

We pray for this congregation, Messiah Lutheran Church, St. Mark’s, St. Paul’s, Trinity of Edmond, Trinity of OKC and Zion Lutheran, that we all may be united together by your Holy Spirit, in your true Truth, and around your Son Jesus. We additionally pray for all of the congregations in our Hills and Plains Presbytery that you would guide us in truly and humbly serving you in order that your name may be glorified before all people and that we would love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19). And please, oh please, look on our brothers and sisters in China, especially Early Rain Covenant Church, and all their leaders who were imprisoned in 2019 and those arrested in June of this year, such as Pastor Wang Yi, elders Yan Hong and Wu Wuqing, along with church members Liu Yingxu, Nie Bo, Li Benli and Ah-Xin. Set captives free. Vindicate your people. Relieve their families. O God, hear our prayer!

Give wise discernment and discretion to those who are making career decisions; trying to map out their vocational directions; and those just beginning the path of higher education (…).

O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: take notice of the nations of the earth. May those who govern and hold authority look out for all of their people – even those who are considered to be of the wrong clans and tribe – protecting and preserving their safety, securing their rights, and supporting their welfare. May justice and peace run throughout the whole earth. We beseech you to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress and the Legislature of Oklahoma so that they may enact such laws as shall please you, to the glory of your Name, for the welfare of this people, and to the peace and safety of your church. We beg you, Lord, for rain and comfortable temperatures. And we beseech your kindness on those burned out by wildfires.

Look after those who are indisputably poor, economically crushed, or educationally hobbled (…). Present them with the ways and means to provide for their daily bread. And help us to see our role in being gracious to those in greater need than ourselves.

We ask you to have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble (…). May they be delivered from their distress, be surrounded by caring family and helpful friends, and be drawn closer to you. And hear us as we pray for folks we know who are not Christians or have slipped away (…). Save them by your merciful goodness, draw them into your church, and surround them with loving, gracious people. And now, in the power of the Spirit and the name of Jesus we pray as he taught us saying, Our Father…