27 Days of Prayer for America – a loving Christian witness

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? – Romans 10:13-14 (NLT)

Prayer: a loving Christian Witness

Heavenly Father – Over the past week we have seen the sinful nature of Donald Trump on full display before the whole world. It wasn’t pretty.

But, truth be told, everyone’s sinful nature is ugly; and no one can withstand the scrutiny of everything that we’ve said and done in private. We cringe at the thought of the final judgement when all of our sins will be laid bare before You. Apart from the cross of Christ, we are eternally damned.

And that’s the point, Lord. Even though You see how far we have fallen, You still love us and have given us Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins that we may be presented faultless before You on the day of judgement. Jesus came to save us, not condemn us – and that’s the story to be told to our nation. There is redemption.

And so, I pray for Donald Trump – that this public humiliation would prepare his heart to hear and receive the Good News of Your love and forgiveness. Surround him with people who will befriend him, pray for him, and lovingly share the Gospel with him in a way that he can understand.

I pray, too, for all Americans – that we might examine our own lives, confess our own sins, private and public, and seek Your mercy and forgiveness. Prepare all of us for the day of judgement, and cover us with the blood of Christ that we may be presented faultless before You.

I also pray for those who have been quick to condemn and abandon Donald Trump. Forgive their hypocrisy for they are no better or worse than he is in Your sight. They will have their own day of reckoning when all will be made clear.

Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your desire that none should perish – we are all redeemable. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for paying the price of our redemption on the cross. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for empowering us to be loving witnesses of redemption in these troubling times.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Wed, 12 Oct – Psalm 119:73-78; Jeremiah 18:1-6; Romans 8:25-26 ~ made by God

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:73-78 (NLT)

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NLT)

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.

Reading: Romans 8:25-26 (NLT)

If we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Prayer

O God, forgive the poverty and pettiness of our prayers. Listen not to our words, but to the yearning of our hearts. Hear beneath our petitions the crying of our need. (Peter Marshall)

I cannot speak, unless You loose my tongue; I only stammer, and I speak uncertainly; but if You touch my mouth, my Lord, then I will sing of Your wonders!

I have a dream that all the world will meet You, and know You, Jesus, in Your living power, that someday soon all people everywhere will hear Your story, and hear it in a way they understand.

So many who have heard forget to tell the story.

Here am I, my Jesus: teach me. (Caedmon)

“The Potter’s Hand” – Hillsong

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!

28 Days of Prayer for America – “ask God for wisdom”

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. – James 1:5 (NLT)

The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. – Proverbs 24:5-6 (NLT)

Prayer: Godly guidance

Generous God: I ask for wisdom and guidance during these last four weeks of the presidential election cycle – for the Presidential candidates, for all others who are seeking public office, for all faithful American citizens, and for myself –

+ I ask that the Presidential candidates might actively seek your wisdom and guidance; and that they might surround themselves with godly counselors. This election has taken some nasty turns, Lord. I pray that you might lift the debate out of the darkness into your glorious light, and that truth and justice might prevail.

+ I ask that all who are seeking public office might look to you for wisdom and guidance, and surround themselves with godly counselors instead of self-serving opportunists. May they be men and women of their word who keep their commitments and work tirelessly for the good of the American people they serve.

+ I ask that you give faithful American citizens wisdom and sound judgement as they prepare to go to the polls on November 8th. Give them spiritual discernment so that they can see through the schemes and deceit of the evil one who thrives in chaos and confusion. Help them to look beyond the personalities of the candidates to the two distinctly different visions of America that they advocate. And, above all else, I pray that your faithful people will choose life.

+ I ask that you temper my partisanship with the wisdom that comes from your Word and Spirit. May I be a respecter of all persons, created in your image, regardless of how strongly I might disagree with them. May I see you in them, and act accordingly.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.

Morning Prayer: Tue, 11 Oct – Psalm 119:65-72; Genesis 37:23-24, 50:20; Acts 5:29-39 ~ time will tell

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:65-72 (NLT)

You have done many good things for me, Lord , just as you promised. I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word. You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.

Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart. Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions. My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

Reading: Genesis 37:23-24; 50:20 (NLT)

So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
_____

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Reading: Acts 5:29-39 (NLT)

But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”

When they heard this, the high council was furious and decided to kill them. But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while. Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men! Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!”

Prayer for Those in Trouble

We hold before God:
those for whom life is very difficult;
those who have difficult decisions to make, and
who honestly do not know what is the right thing to do.

We hold before God:
those who have difficult tasks to do and to face, and
who fear they may fail in them;
those who have difficult temptations to face, and
those who know only too well that they may fall to them,
if they try to meet them alone.

We hold before God:
those who know that they can be their own worst enemies.

We hold before God:
those who have difficult people to work with;
those who have to suffer unjust treatment, unfair
criticism, unappreciated work.

We hold before God:
those who are sad because someone they loved has died;
and any who are disappointed in something for which they hoped very much.

Reveal to us your intended purpose in our struggles – that we may bless your name at all times. In Jesus’ name.

“Blessed Be Your Name” – Matt Redman

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

29 Days of Prayer for America – “the fear of the Lord”

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight

– Proverbs 9:10 ESV

Prayer: the fear of the Lord

Lord God – this presidential election cycle has exposed the deceit and corruption of our political system as never before.

+ Deliver us from evil, Lord.

Both parties, up and down the election ticket, have shamelessly conspired to rig the system for personal gain and power.

+ Deliver us from evil, Lord.

Our government has been weaponized against its own citizens in order to suppress dissent.

+ Deliver us from evil, Lord.

For all His faults, Donald Trump is the last man standing against this corrupt, rigged system.

+ Make him a God-fearing man, Lord.

Draw Donald Trump closer to you, as never before.

+ Make him a God-fearing man, Lord.

Implant in Donald Trump’s mind and heart the conviction that he is firstly accountable to you.

+ Make him a God-fearing man, Lord.

And for the remainder of this campaign, may he weigh each decision and action according to your standard of godliness.

+ Make him a God-fearing man, Lord.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God forever. Amen.

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