O LORD, the Creator Who Has Spoken - 13 August 2023

 

O LORD, who created the heavens (you are God!), who formed the earth and made it (you established it; you did not create it empty, you formed it to be inhabited!), you have spoken and said: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isaiah 45:18-19). It is to you we come to seek your face and call for help.

We pray for your church world over, including this congregation, Grace Covenant Church, St. Benedict Orthodox, St. Elijah’s, and St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church. May we all be united together by your Holy Spirit, in your true Truth, centered on your Gospel, reformed around grace alone, in Christ alone, by faith alone. We additionally pray for all of the congregations in our Hills and Plains Presbytery that you would guide us in truly and humbly serving you in order that your name may be glorified before all people.

Give wise discernment and discretion to those who are making career decisions; those who are trying to map out their vocational directions; and others who are just beginning the path of higher education and trying to figure out what majors they will be best fit for.

Take notice, O God, of the nations of the earth, together with Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan and Tajikistan. May those who govern and hold authority look out for all of their people – even those whom they consider to be of the wrong clans and tribes – protecting and preserving their safety, securing their rights, and supporting their welfare. May justice and peace run throughout the whole earth.

O God, the fountain of wisdom, whose will is good and gracious, and whose law is truth: We beseech you to guide and bless our Senators and Representatives in Congress and the Legislature of this State so that they may enact such laws – and only such laws – as shall please you, to the glory of your Name, for the welfare of this people, and to the peace and safety of your church.

Look after those who are indisputably poor, economically crushed, or educationally hobbled. And we pray for the families of the dead, and those who have lost everything in the fires on Maui. Present them with the ways and means to provide for their daily bread, to rebuild and recover. Console the grieving, and restore the wrecked.

We thank you, Lord, for the rains of this past week, and the comfortable temperatures. We thank you for the pleasure of friends and laughter. We thank you for the days our health holds out. We thank you for your many kindnesses to our families. We ask you to have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble (…). May they be delivered from their distress, be surrounded by caring family and helpful friends, and be drawn closer to you. 

Hear us as we pray for folks we know who are not Christians or have slipped away (…). Save them by your merciful goodness, draw them into your church, and surround them with loving, gracious people. And now we join together to pray as our Lord Jesus directed, Our Father, who art in heaven…