"God Over Life and Death, Hurt and Health" - 23 January 2022

 Thus says the LORD: “‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand” (Deuteronomy 32:39). Therefore, we adore you, the only God; we worship you, God over life and death, hurt and health!

Have mercy, we pray, on all who have turned their backs to you and not their faces (…). Give them to your Son that he may never lose them but raise them up on the last day.

Have mercy, we pray, on all who are beat up, badgered, beleaguered, broke and brittle (…). Grant them the specific aid they need – whether monetary, medical, medicinal or mending – and raise them up to rejoice in your goodness and lift their hearts and voices in thanksgiving.

Have mercy, we pray, on those women who feel pressured and oppressed to the point that they have contemplated abortion, and those misguided and misled by tricky guides. Have mercy on children in the womb. Give mother and child safety, health, and futures filled with love. Turn the hearts of those who think that abortion, euthanasia, or suicide are honorable, sane “choices” or rights. Turn their hearts, and may they come to embrace the God-given blessing of life.

Have mercy, we pray, on our own nation. May the good and right prevail, while evil, greed, envy, and crime be upturned and upended. Strengthen and invigorate the inhabitants of this land to maintain justice, promote equanimity, show compassion for the powerless, and to thrive in your common grace. We also pray that you would be with our governmental leaders. Pull-back on plans and ambitions that are immoral or improper, and send forward those desires, legislations and executive orders that are genuinely good, and wholesome. Finally, send us the rains and showers we need.

Have mercy, we pray, on all nations of this world, that peace, prosperity and propriety would blossom that families, children, the widowed, the handicapped, and the orphaned may all live in relative safety; infrastructures would be made operational and secure; schools and medical institutions be properly equipped, outfitted and staffed. To this end, we pray for the leaders of the nations that they will lead with honor, execute their offices with integrity, and exemplify uprightness. And have mercy on the Tonga Islands as they rebuild and recover.

Have mercy, we pray, on your church throughout the world, throughout North America and Oklahoma, to include Heritage and these congregations in the OKC area, Spring Creek Assembly of God, Antioch Baptist Church, Bethlehem Primitive Baptist, and Calvary Baptist Church. Grant unto us all things that are needful for our welfare (body, soul and mind). Strengthen and confirm the faithful, visit and relieve the sick, bless and protect the children, recover the fallen, restore the repentant, remove all hindrances to the advancement of your Truth, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within the fold of your holy Church, to the honor and glory of your holy name. 

All of these requests we have mentioned, and those that have remained silently on our hearts we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Saving Lord.  And we pray as we have been taught, saying, Our Father…