"Blessed are You, O God and Father" - 30 April 2017


Blessed are you, O God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to your great mercy, you have caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us, who by your power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Bring us to rejoice in this imperishable inheritance, even though now for a little while, if necessary, we may be, at times, grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of our faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1.3-7).

O God most high, we acknowledge that you are right and just, even when your wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who often suppress your truth in unrighteousness. We love and pray for this nation you have providentially placed us in, and for our leaders, such as State Representatives Terry O’Donnell; Charles Ortega; Leslie Osborn; Mike Osburn; and Pat Ownby. We confess that we, as a nation, in declaring ourselves wise – and often times implying that we think we are wiser than you – we show ourselves to be fools. O Lord, do not give us up in the lusts of our heart to impurity, dishonoring our bodies among ourselves; do not give us up to dishonorable passions; do not give us up to a debased mind that seeks to do what ought not to be done (Romans 1.18-28). Lord, have mercy.

O God, our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; we implore you to rain down peace, plenty, goodness and guidance on all the nations of the earth, and the leaders of those nations, such as President Horacio Cartes of Paraguay; President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski of Peru; and President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines. Also, please build up those practices, institutions and administrations that protect the poor, widowed, street children, as well as the beat down and beat up. And bring good purpose and prudence to both North and South Korea and all parties involved. Lord, have mercy.

We pray on behalf of your Church world-over; this congregation; River of Life Church; Robinson Street Baptist Church; Sacred Heart Catholic Church; St. Andrews United Methodist Church; and St. Charles Bornomeo Catholic Church. You know what goes on behind closed doors; you know what the needs of your people are, even before they see their need; you are the one who loves your church more than anyone else does. Therefore we pray for you to defend and protect your people from all enemies from within and without; rectify the things that may be rotten; strengthen the things that are weak; vivify those who are faint; and fill up that which is lacking, for the sake of your honor and fame. Lord, have mercy.

Save those straying and wayward and reclaim those who are disoriented…Lord, have mercy. 

Caring God, we pray for you to restore the bodies, nightmares, aspirations, longings, and minds of those who are drained, despairing, dejected or distressed; we pray especially for those fighting and being faced with Depression, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, MS, Bipolar issues, Aging concerns, Debilitating migraines, etc … Lord, have mercy.

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