Congregational Prayer - 9 November 2014 PM

O LORD, you are our God; we will exalt you; we will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure (Isaiah 25.1).

 Almighty God, hasten the day when nations will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory (Psalm 102.15). For there is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. Yes, bring all the nations that you have made to come and worship before you, O Lord, and to glorify your name – whether Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Maoist, Secularist – all nations! For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God (Psalm 86.8-10). Protect your Church in all lands; and deliver those people who are being terrorized and brutalized. Convert the bloodthirsty and heartless, and if they will not repent, then break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call his wickedness to account till you find none (Psalm 10.15). O Lord, hear our prayer.

 For those re-elected and those newly elected, govern their thinking and deliberating that they may always lean in the direction of what fosters the common good, what is truly fair and just for all. For those who were not elected, remove any bitterness or sour-grapes. For those who are disgusted or discouraged because the votes didn’t go the way the way they wanted, grant them to be patient and continue to be good citizens. For all – winners and losers alike – bring them to see that their ultimate allegiance and political passion ought to be to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ your Son. O Lord, hear our prayer.

 We pray for your Church in all places, including Highland Park Baptist Church; Highland Park Missionary Baptist; Hilltop Baptist; Holy Divine Baptist; Holy Temple Baptist; Holy United Baptist and Howard Memorial Baptist Church: may brotherly love flourish amongst your people more and more, and may we all aspire to live quietly, minding our own affairs, working with our hands, walking properly before outsiders and dependent on no one (1 Thessalonians 4.9-12). O Lord, hear our prayer.

 Father, be with this congregation; thank you for making us your deeply loved people, for choosing us as the firstfruits to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. Thank you that you have called us to this through the gospel, so that we may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2.13). Thank you Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, that you loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace. Therefore be pleased to comfort our hearts and establish us in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2.16-17). O Lord, hear our prayer.
Finally, Lord God, we pray for those enduring brokenness – whether brokenness of body, heart, marriages and family life, bank-book, or career – bind up the brokenness and relieve the tears, and grant them the help they need. O Lord, hear our prayer.

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