"Your Name, O LORD" - 5 April 2020



Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses (Psalm 135:13, 5-7). We rejoice in your might and goodness and ask you to attend to our prayers as we seek your face and intercede on behalf of your Church and world.

We lift up our hands, hearts and heads to you, Mighty God, for hearing and answering our prayers, for sustaining us day-in-and-day-out, and for the gift of a new day. Glory to you, Mighty Lord! Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

We pray for this congregation, for these churches: Edmond Connect UMC; Epworth UMC; Grace UMC; and Hillcrest UMC; and we pray for your Church world over. As a Master Gardner skillfully weeds, waters and works his garden to make it healthy, lush and bountiful; do so with your Church that all may know it is “God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

We pray for the leaders of states and nations. Show them better ways to govern and give them hearts and minds to govern better. Safeguard them from evil and enlarge in them ways and means for safeguarding those under their care, most especially in the present emergency. Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

We pray for all nations and our own country. May we be led rightly in the ways of justice and peace, showing respect for one another and serving the common good. Preserve us from ruffians, saboteurs and assassins who come under the façade of white flags or under the guise of refugees. Preserve us from the most debilitating and destructive effects of this pandemic and grant us speedy recovery, in our own persons, our families, our communities, and our economies. Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

We pray for friends, family members, and foes to hear and heed Jesus “proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”” (Mark 1:14-15). Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

We pray for friends, family members and foes afflicted with emotional troubles (…), financial predicaments (…), marital breakdowns (…), family distresses (…), vocational crises (…), physical sufferings (…), and bodily weaknesses (…). May they know your comfort, be restored, and rise up with a new lease on life joyfully praising you now and ever. Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

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