"Oh, Great God..." - 5 July 2020



“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).  Oh, great God there are troubles on the one hand, and trials on the other. Though none of the travails are new or unique, yet they give our hearts concern. We, as a nation, have waded through many pandemics. And as a country we have survived a number of riots and ravages through the decades. Nevertheless, we bear our concerns to you crying out to you, especially at this time when the annual celebration of our freedom is fresh on our hearts. May righteousness prevail in our land, a righteousness that ensures that all may have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, whether freeborn, foreign born or unborn. And a righteousness echoed in the words of that old song: “Thy love divine hath led us in the past, In this free land by Thee our lot is cast; Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. / From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace” (“God of Our Fathers”).

We ask you to overrule the brutal savagery raging in many nations, as well as the sanctioning of slavery, sex-trafficking, and the spoiling of your Church. We affirm with Scripture that the hearts of national leaders are like streams of water in your hand, O LORD, and that you turn them wherever you will (Proverbs 21:1). Turn them Father, and may all nations come to bow the knee to the Lord Jesus, and peace and prosperity prevail in all places.

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need, we humbly beseech you to behold, visit and relieve these – especially these who have been hit with COVID19 (…). With the eyes of your mercy upon them comfort them with a sense of your goodness, keeping them from the temptations of the enemy, giving them patience under their affliction. And in your good time, restore them to health to lead the residue of their life in your fear, and to your glory.

Almighty God, we pray for your Church worldwide, including Living Word Baptist Church, Peniel Missionary Baptist, Praise of Zion Missionary Baptist, and Redeemed Missionary Baptist Church. Grant us all grace fearlessly to live in peace with all men, and holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). May your Word run swiftly and be glorified, and your people be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). Preserve your church from the corrosiveness of doctrinal infidelity and the corruption of heresy; and in those areas where she has already completely missed the mark, recover her. 

Lord Jesus Christ, who embraces children with the arms of your mercy, and makes them living members of your Church; give our children and grandchildren grace, we pray, to stand fast in your faith, to obey your word, and to abide in your love; that, being made strong by your Holy Spirit, they may resist temptation, overcome evil, rejoice in the life that now is, and dwell with you in the life that is to come. Amen.

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