God Is Our Refuge and Strength - Prayers for 22 March 2020



God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46.1). O Lord God, who rules in heaven and on earth, who directs orbits and oceans, governs harvests and hailstorms, directs plagues and pestilence, who fashions the hearts of all people and observes all their deeds (Psalm 33.15); through your Son, Jesus Christ, you reconciled to yourself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace through the blood of his cross (Colossians 1.20). Attend to our prayers as we seek your face and intercede on behalf of your Church and world.

For your church all around this globe, and around the OKC area, such as: Crosstimber UMC, Crown Heights UMC, Douglas Blvd UMC, and Edmond Chinese International Methodist Church; we pray. Guide her leaders, heal her divisions, reclaim her waywardness, right her wrongs, mend her brokenness, strengthen her weaknesses, and fortify her fidelity. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

For the nations of our world, including our own country, we pray. Stop evil and strengthen good. Put an end to this pandemic and calm the perturbations. Arouse hearts, hands and wallets to step in and provide for those in need, establish and maintain clean drinking water, build and sustain solid infrastructures, train and fund good teachers and safe schools, establish and enhance medical services, and foster an environment of humaneness. Help us to quickly find ways to put a stop to COVID-19. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

For the leaders of nations, we pray. May their policies and aims enhance fitness and wellness among their citizens. May they foster greater international and indigenous agreement and assistance. May they restrain warmongering, settle unrest and benefit their populations. And, we pray even now, that you would be pleased to hasten recovery. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

For those in mental darkness, we pray (…). For those in dire straits, we pray (…). For those nearing or in the middle of bankruptcy and financial disruptions, we pray (…). For those brokenhearted and despondent, we pray (…). For those whose homes are filled with trouble or sickness, we pray (…). For those who are homeless, we pray (…). For all in various needs, we pray (…). Please comfort and relieve them according to their specific needs, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy conclusion to all their afflictions. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

For those who have never repented and believed the Gospel, those who once made their confession of faith but have since wandered away, and those who find themselves in a crisis of faith, we pray (…). May your Spirit of truth convince them of their sin and misery, enlighten their minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renew their wills, persuading and enabling them to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel (WSC 31). God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

We lift up our hands, hearts and heads to you, O Mighty God, for hearing and answering our prayers. Glory to you, Mighty Lord! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Amen.

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