"Blessed Be..." - 11 January 2026

 

With Paul and all of the Apostles, along with the saints and martyrs who have gone before, and with our brothers and sisters world over, we lift our hearts in adoration: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:3-10).

Build, strengthen, fortify, revive, reclaim and reform your church in all places, including East 6th St. Christian Church, Trinity, First Christian, and New Covenant Christian Church. We also pray for Early Rain Covenant Church in China as they face renewed pressures. Protect them, and may they be vindicated.

Cause the straying and stumbling to come back into your fold; grab hold of those trailing off into heresy and right them (…). But also give repentance to the schismatics, and those who twist your Word to their own destruction as they willfully corrupt your truth.

Give strength, health and hope to those who are weak and weary, sick and sore (…).

Govern and direct our country; guide and protect our President and Vice President; help our State; watch over our city; preserve us from folly and foes. And, Almighty God, who has created mankind in your own image; grant us grace to fearlessly contend against evil and injustice, and to make no peace with oppression. And that we may rightly use our liberty, help us to employ it in the maintenance and expansion of justice and truth in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your name, and for the good of your people.

Look kindly upon all nations, including Venezuela, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Iran, and South Africa. Turn them from plans and projects that are self-destructive; and steer them toward better ways and means for the good of their people and the good of their neighbors.

Provide for all of our adult children who are in college, in the military, in the corporate and educational world. May they mature with grace and strength and faith; may they flee the love of money, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. May they fight the good fight of the faith; and take hold of the eternal life to which they were called and about which they made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:11-12). All we ask for your glory, our good, and the honor of Jesus, who taught us to pray, Our Father…

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