"O Lord, Who Knows..." - 15 October 2023

 

O Lord, who knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, we pray for the besieged and beleaguered peoples in our world, such as those in Afghanistan, or those in Israel and Gaza. Many are suffering. Earthquakes rocking some, military threats and wars are decimating others. Please establish peace, justice, recovery and efficient economies in all lands, for the good of all, so that the Gospel of Jesus may spread unchecked, and that your Church may dwell securely in peace and quietness. Strengthen with you aid Palestinian Christians in Gaza and Jewish Christians in Israel, all of whom are feeling the heat and pressure. Have mercy on them. Further, guide our own leaders in this country to throw off selfish programs, cut-throat tactics, and dastardly devices; and to put on what is truly legitimate and will promote evenhanded integrity.

Give ear to our concerns as we pray for those who are in unbelief and for those who have disserted the Christian Faith (…). And we also pray for our enemies that you would lead them and us from prejudice to truth; and deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty and revenge to faith, hope and love; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you through Jesus Christ your Son.

For your Church in all places, this congregation, Victory Faith Center, Christ Lutheran, First Lutheran, Covenant PCA in Fayetteville, and Brush Hill Baptist at Lake Eufaula. Our desire is to see all who claim to be your people to be holy, whole, and health-giving in Jesus Christ. Therefore, those who have stumbled into errors that dishonor you and create schism, restore them to your way of truth. Those who have allowed their desires and ambitions to squeeze out brotherly love and create fights and wars, reinstate them in the cross-shaped ways of Christ. Those who are towing the line and promoting decent doctrine and genuine godliness, encourage them by giving grace to the humble as you withstand the proud. And those who are standing firm against the pressures and persecutions of the world, strengthen them that in life and in death they may remain faithful witnesses.

For our Crates for Ukraine drive, we beseech you to help us have all the funds we need to fill out the three crates. Grant what we do to be genuinely beneficial for those in that war zone.

LORD, since your eye is on those who fear you, on those who hope in your steadfast love, that you may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine (Psalm 33:18-19), we intercede on behalf of those with cancer, MS, diabetes, Crohn’s, Lupus, dementia, and other ailments (…). Lift their hearts, grow them in the Christian virtue of defiant hope – that godly defiance against hopelessness and hollow despair, and do bring them lasting relief. 

Thank you for inviting us to pour out our prayers, and promising that as we pray in Jesus’ name you hear us and will answer us. And now we join our hearts and voices to pray as Jesus taught us, saying, Our Father….