+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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2 Kings 6:16-17 (NLT)
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord , open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
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Prayer:
God of Angel Armies, send Saint Michael and Your Heavenly Hosts to protect and defend America from the principalities and powers that would destroy us. Give Your people courage and confidence knowing that there are more on our side than on theirs.
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Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
Archangel Michael Guido Reni, circa 1636 Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
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Saint Michael Archangel,
defend us in battle,
be our protection against
the wickedness and snares of the devil;
may God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, cast into hell
Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
__________
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Collect: Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(1979 Book of Common Prayer)
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2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NLT)
These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.
Hillary has long believed that “the personal is political,” especially when political power can benefit her personally. Indeed, as the emails show, her public career has been based on showing one face to her gullible supporters and another, more ruthless one to allies and adversaries behind closed doors.
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Prayer: deceitful workers
Almighty God: You know our hearts, our desires, and our secrets; all are laid bare before You. And now, in these last few weeks before the election, Hillary Clinton’s secrets are being laid bare before the American electorate.
+ Thank You for using Julian Assange and Wikileaks to shine light on the darkness of American politics.
+ Thank You for revealing the duplicity of Hillary Clinton – one face to gullible supporters, and another more ruthless one to allies and adversaries behind closed doors.
Almighty God: Give Your people the discernment to recognize the lies, deceit and corruption infecting our political system.
+ Reveal the deceitfulness of corrupt officials who have gotten rich while serving in public office.
+ Reveal the shameless deceit of corrupt officials who use world-wide tragedies to enrich themselves and their cronies under the guise of charity.
+ Reveal the deceitfulness of corrupt officials who participate in “pay to play” schemes designed to gain access and favors in order to enrich themselves.
+ Reveal the bigotry of “deceitful workers” toward socially conservative Catholics and Evangelicals who have opposed their “progressive” social agenda.
+ Reveal the schemes of “deceitful workers” who have connived for years to rig the system and undermine our electoral process.
+ Reveal the collusion of the “deceitful workers” in the media that has become a propaganda arm of the State – hiding the truth concerning corruption at the highest levels of our government from the American people.
Almighty God: I pray for the souls of these “deceitful workers… who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.” Convict them of their sin – that they may repent of their service to the Evil One, and turn to You for mercy and forgiveness.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:129-132 (NLT)
Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.
Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.
Reading: Habakkuk 2:14 (NLT)
For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.
Reading: John 7:37-39 (NLT)
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)
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O Lord, Your word enters and lets in the light. It gives understanding to the simple.
Open-mouthed and longing I come to You. To whom else shall I go? You have the words of eternal life. I have believed, sometimes recklessly, sometimes hesitantly, but I have believed, and come to know that You are the only one who can satisfy my thirst.
I am an emptiness for Thee to fill;
my soul a cavern for Thy sea.
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
– Mark 12:17 (NLT)
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We as Christians are to participate, not on the basis of parties or persons or politics, but on principles. Our highest allegiance is to God, but we have a duty to our country as well.
Adrian Rogers – Rogers (1931-2005) served as pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, in Memphis, Tenn., for more than 30 years.
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Prayer: political engagement
Lord God: You have established in America a human government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We are some of “the people,” and we need Your guidance as we approach the upcoming presidential election.
+ Thank You for giving us the opportunity to participate in our government.
+ Thank You for giving us the opportunity to shape the direction of our government.
+ Thank You for giving us the opportunity to vote for the people who run our government.
Lord God: As Christians, we would participate, not on the basis of parties or persons or politics, but on principles.
+ Remind us that our highest allegiance is to You.
+ Remind us, too, that we have a duty to our country as well.
+ Turn out Your people in great numbers to vote on November 8th.
Lord God: You have given us, in America, a democracy based on public opinion. Show us how to change public opinion by winning people one by one to Jesus Christ.
+ Write Your Word on our hearts that we might readily give a reason for the hope that is in us.
+ Fill us with Your Spirit that we might speak grace and truth into the lives of those around us.
+ Give us a spirit of power, and love, and self-discipline that what we say and do might reflect Your Kingdom values.
Lord God: I ask for a great revival in America.
+ Turn America upside down in this election and prepare our country for revival.
+ Overturn all powers and principalities that would cling to power and inhibit the movement of Your Spirit.
+ Open a new chapter in America where Your people can freely say like Christians before us “Lord, You alone are God. We have no king but Jesus.”
Lord God: Our hope is in You. Pour out Your Spirit on America that we may turn again, not to government, but to You – our help and our hope.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
I have come to seek You, O God, just as I am I come.
I have come to be sought by You, just as I am I come.
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.
Reading: Psalm 119:121-128 (NLT)
Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right. Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me! My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees. Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions.
Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way.
Reading: 1 Kings 3:12-13 (NLT)
King Solomon
I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!
Reading: Matthew 22:15-22 (NLT)
Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
His reply amazed them, and they went away.
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Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You: Through Your cross and resurrection You offer freedom and hope to those ready to receive them. Lord, show me Your loving-kindness.
+ Give me wisdom and understanding: help me to live in the light of Your presence.
+ Guide my thoughts, my words, my actions: that what I do today may be pleasing to You.
+ Help me to avoid wrongdoing: redirect me and show me Your mercy and love.
+ Through Your passion and death You have won life for me: give me the strength of Your Holy Spirit.
Lord God, You hold out the light of your Word to those who do not know You. Strengthen in my heart the faith You have given me, so that no trials may quench the fire Your Spirit has kindled within me. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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“God I Look to You” – Jenn Johnson (Bethel Church)
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 