"Call Upon His Name" - 1 August 2021

 


“Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12:4-6). We have sung your praises, we have declared your great deeds, and now we give you thanks for your great favor poured out on us: for food, friends, family, health, homes, hope, vocations, value, and vitality. For we acknowledge that it is you who upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing (Psalm 145:14-16).

Supreme Sovereign who sits enthroned over all, we call upon you to move the nations of this world in such ways that peace will prevail, war be averted, the Gospel unhindered, and the Church unmolested, especially Cuba, Haiti, South Africa, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. And we ask for you to preserve our own land. May our leaders and those who govern be guided by godly wisdom for the good of all – free born, foreign born and unborn. Put a stop to this pandemic. And please relieve the western regions of our country suffering from a sustained and severe drought and massive wildfires.

You who execute justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry; who sets the prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind; who lifts up those who are bowed down and loves the righteous; who watches over the sojourners and upholds the widow and the fatherless, and brings the way of the wicked to ruin (Psalm 146:7-9): we pray for the poor, sick, hungry, elderly, disabled, jobless, depressed, hurting, and broken (…). May your grace be for them a fountain of hope and relief.

O God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4), we pray for those who have yet to receive Christ into their lives, as well as those who have strayed away, and those who are troubled in their faith (…). Bring them to respond to your grace with faith, hope and love.

Our Father in heaven, look upon your family, your Church throughout the world, including Grace Covenant Church, Grand Blvd Assembly of God, Greater Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and Greater Cleaves Memorial CME Church. Let your continual mercy and compassion purify and protect your Church; and since she cannot continue in safety nor success without your aid, for God’s people need God’s presence, therefore, please preserve, prosper, and preside over her evermore by your grace and goodness.

O God, most holy, wise, and powerful Preserver and Governor of all your creatures and all of our actions: keep us this day and throughout this coming week in health of body and soundness of mind, in purity of heart and cheerfulness of spirit, in contentment with our lot and charity with our neighbor; and further all of our lawful undertakings with your blessing. In our labor strengthen us; in our pleasure purify us; in our difficulties direct us; in our perils defend us; in our troubles comfort us; and supply all our needs, according to the riches of your grace in Christ Jesus.

All we ask in union with Jesus Christ your Son, and our Lord and Savior, as we pray together what he taught us, saying; Our Father…

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