"We Give You Thanks, O Lord God Almighty" - 10 July 2022
“We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the
One who is and who was and who is to come, because you have taken your great
power and reigned” (Revelation 11:17). Almighty and everlasting God, the
source of all life and joy, who, by the jubilant announcement of the Gospel has
called us to have part in your Kingdom and glory; shine powerfully into our hearts
by your Word and Spirit and draw us with the constraining, compelling cords of
faith, hope and love that we may heartily chose that good part which shall not
be taken away from us.
We ask you to direct all world leaders. Over-rule
the atrocious savagery running rampant in many nations (Eastern Europe, Sri
Lanka, Ethiopia, and others); countermand the legitimizing of slavery,
prostitution and drug-running; and may all nations come to bow the knee to the
Lord Jesus, and peace and prosperity prevail in all places. Also, we have
celebrated our nation’s independence this past week. Now Lord, hear our prayers
for the present and future. We acknowledge that personal life, family life and
national life are about far more than taxation and representation; they are about
far more than freedoms to consume whatever we want, gratifying our selfishness,
or securing our rugged individualisms. Bring us to see anew that you have
providentially entrusted to us this republic to promote and secure liberty and
justice for all – a liberty and justice that resonate with your own heart and
goodness and holiness. And bring us to renew our commitment to this.
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 (…). Mercifully look upon them; comfort them with a sense
of your goodness; preserve them from the enticements of the enemy; and
give them patience under their afflictions. In good time return them
to health and enable them to lead the remainder of their lives reverencing
you, and grant that finally they may dwell with you in life everlasting.
Show your kindness and deploy your saving love to
those who have never turned to Christ (…). Similarly, smile on our Mega Sports
Camp VBS that begins tomorrow. May this year’s VBS be decidedly more than just
about sports and fun, though may it be fun and sporty. Give us treasured moments
where we will see children, and even parents, coming to receive Christ as he is
freely offered in the Gospel. Preserve us, body and soul, in all the heat.
Finally, Lord, we pray for your Church worldwide,
including True
Love Baptist, 12 Corners, Union, and Unity Baptist Church. By your help and
Spirit, may we be those who hear your words and do them that we may be like a
wise man who built his house on the rock; so that when the rains fall and the
floods come and the winds blow and beat on our house, it may not fall, because
it will have been founded on you, the Rock. And those who hear your words but do
not do them, please turn them around before their sandy-foundation brings their
house crashing down under the weight and whirlwind and rainstorms (Matthew 7:24-27).
All of this we ask in your name so that the Father may be glorified in you by
the Holy Spirit. And now we pray as we have been taught, saying, Our
Father…
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