"In Assurance We Lift Our Hearts to You" - 24 May 2020

In assurance we lift our hearts to you, O our God. As Jonathan told his armor bearer when heavily outnumbered, yet taking the daring risk to engage the Philistines, “nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). We, too, are assured that there is nothing, no one, no condition, no circumstance, no competitor, no cerebral malfunction, no failure of courage, no catastrophe that can hinder you from saving, rescuing, and triumphing! And therefore, there is no created thing out there or in here that can separate us from your love! Truly in all these things we are more than conquerors, and the seal, the guarantee of this truth is Christ crucified for our transgressions, risen for our justification (Romans 8:37-39, 4:25), and ascended into heaven to hold sway!

We pray on behalf of your Church world-over, this congregation, St. Andrew’s UMC, St. Mark’s UMC, St. Matthew’s UMC and Salt UMC. Raise up a defense around your people that the evil one may never get a foothold against them. Raise our hearts when they sag, rain down upon us your refreshment, and regulate your way straight before us.

O Lord be with Teresa W. that she may garner all the support she needs to return to Thailand with MTW, and be with the Iversons, Berrys, Shepherds, and Youngs. Preserve them all from injurious circumstances, infectious germs, and intimidating peoples. Open doors for them that they may show forth your love as well as tell forth your good news; and may your hand be upon them for good.

Lord God, you who are our raiser-upper and restorer of wholeness; be with those who are in need, in hurt and in worry (…). May they find your remedy, refreshment, and restoration.

Holy God, see the nations and countries world over; those fuming and raging, firing warning shots and rattling sabers, with rioting in the streets, where people have been blown apart in cowardly attacks, and where there is trafficking in human lives! Some Governments who should care for the prosperity and peacefulness of their people are crushing and vandalizing them. Some Leaders who should be leading in fairness and decency are fleecing their citizens or corrupting their offices. O dear God, have mercy on our world, and on our country! Bring about civil goodness and justice; and toward these ends direct all world leaders.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead; we give you thanks for all those who have laid down their lives in the service of our country for its protection and in promoting justice; and especially those in living memory. Grant to their families and friends your mercy and the light of your presence. And so that their sacrifices may not be in vain, please keep our nation under your care, and guide us all in the way of virtue, integrity, morality and truth. In the name of the One whose death, resurrection, and ascension gives us hope in the face of death and grief, Jesus Christ your Son, Amen.