If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
Prayer for Repentance and Mercy
Father, you have created us in body and soul to honor you and our neighbor and to receive honor and respect in return.
Our bodies are sacred. they reflect you, our Creator. And we hold sacred the bodies of all the children in the womb.
Lord, we are saddened that these children are being killed, and saddened again that their body parts are being harvested and sold.
Have mercy on our nation. Have mercy on those who are perpetrating these evils. As more and more people become aware of this, turn their hearts towards you, the Fountain of life and love.
Give consolation to all who have had abortions, and give wisdom to our public officials that they may respond adequately to the corruption found in the abortion industry.
Grant that we, the People of Life and the People of Mercy, may recommit ourselves to building a nation without abortion and without the many evils that flow from it.
May we choose life; may we choose mercy; may we choose your Kingdom! Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
–Rev. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life
+ In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.
Opening Prayer:
God, the rock of our salvation, whose gifts can never fail, deepen the faith you have already bestowed and let its power be seen in your servants. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“The Rock Won’t Move” – Vertical Church Band
When the ground beneath my feet gives way | And I hear the sound of crashing waves | All my world is washing out to sea | I’m hidden safe in the God who never moves | Holding fast to the promise of the truth | That You are holding tighter still to me
The Rock won’t move and His word is strong | The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone | The Rock won’t move and His word is strong | The Rock won’t move and His love can’t be undone
The Rock of our Salvation
My hope is in the promise of Your blood | My support within the raging flood | Even in the tempest, I can sing | I’m hidden safe in the God who never moves | Holding fast to the promise of Your truth | That You are holding tighter still to me
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand | All other ground is sinking sand | The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move | When darkness seems to hide His face | I rest on His unchanging grace | The Rock won’t move, the Rock won’t move
Lead me to the Rock | The Rock that is higher | That is greater | The Rock of our Salvation | Lead me to the Rock | The Rock that is Stronger | That is Stronger | The Rock that is Jesus | The Rock that is Jesus | He will never move | He is faithful
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 (NLT)
[In difficult times, faithfulness sustains people.]
How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
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Then the Lord said to me,
“Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 (NLT)
Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
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Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.
If only you would listen to his voice today!
The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness. For there your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw everything I did.
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Psalm 95: ‘Come let us’ – Half a Mile
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A Reading from the Letters: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 (NLT)
[The Spirit is powerfully present with us.]
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
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Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 17:5-10 (NLT)
[The importance of having faith.]
The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”
The Mulberry Tree by Vincent van Gogh
The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
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“Let Us Pray” – Tommy Walker
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Intercessory Prayer:
Gracious God, our Rock and our Redeemer, hear our prayers –
+ For believers everywhere, called to witness to Christ in today’s unsteady and confusing world…. Lord, hear us.
+ For believers everywhere, that they may be empowered by the Holy Spirit they have received…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the people who want to believe but find it hard, that they may receive the gift of faith…. Lord, hear us.
+ For peace in Syria and the Middle East, that its migrants may be able to return to their homelands…. Lord, hear us.
+ For respect for all human life, from its beginnings to its last moments…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died in Christ, especially through war and violence, that they may be part of God’s flock forever…. Lord, hear us.
O God you are our Rock, you made us and know all our needs, listen to our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“By Faith” – Keith & Kristyn Getty
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Benediction:
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love. – 2 John 3
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
Here’s an acronym that will help guide you in prayer: P.R.A.Y. The letters stand for Praise, Repent, Access and Yield, which captures the essence of prayer — to seek an audience with the King of the universe, the Holy One, who in the mystery of His character loves us and responds to our prayers.
Praise: We’re to enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise (see Psalm 100:4). Sit quietly and thank God for who He is and what He has done.
+ Thank you, Lord, for making heaven and earth and all that it contains – and making it all good.
+ Thank you, Lord, for making me in your image and claiming me as your child by grace through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ.
+ Thank you, Lord, for establishing America as a one-of-a-kind nation – an experiment in human governance with liberty and justice for all, under your providential care.
+ Thank you, Lord, for placing me in America during a time of unprecedented opportunity and freedom.
Repent: A sober reminder comes from Psalm 66:18: If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” A spiritual cleansing is needed in order to come nearer to the throne of God.
Dear Heavenly Father, I bow before you and confess that I have too often forgotten that I am yours. Sometimes I carry on my life as if there was no God and I fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things I ask your forgiveness and I also ask for your strength. Give me a clear mind and open heart so I may witness to You in my world. Remind me to be who You would have me be regardless of what I am doing or who I am with. Hold me to You and build my relationship with You and with those You have given me on earth.
Almighty God, who freely pardons all who repent and turn to Him, now fulfill in my contrite heart the promise of redeeming grace; forgiving all my sins, and cleansing me from an evil conscience; through the perfect sacrifice of Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.
Access: We’re not telling God anything new — “All my longings lie open before you, O Lord: my sighing is not hidden from you” (Psalm 38:9). Even so, He gives us access to talk to Him about our needs and frustrations.
Lord God, here are some of the frustrations that I’m feeling as an American citizen –
+ I have lost confidence in America’s two-party political system – whether Republican or Democrat, they are not working for ordinary Americans.
+ I have lost confidence in America’s three branches of Government – the Executive branch is lawless; the Judicial branch has been compromised; and Congress is feckless.
+ I have lost confidence in America’s presidential nominating process – both parties have a rigged system designed to change nothing and keep the elites in power.
+ I have lost confidence in America’s press and media – they lie, distort and spin for one side; fair and balanced have become meaningless words.
+ I fear for our military, warriors and families, that our government will sacrifice them on the altar of political expediency – the debacle in Benghazi was a perfect example.
+ I could go on, Lord, but you know my heart.
Yield: The fact that we have brought our prayer list before God indicates our trust that He will, in His time and in His way, show us the way we should go (see Psalm 143:8).
Heavenly Father, you are Sovereign over all the nations of the earth. Human history is playing itself out under your providential hand, according to your ultimate purpose – when every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to your glory. Listen to my prayers and answer in your way and in your time – may I graciously accept your will as the future of America is revealed.
+ In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ 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 119:1-4 (NLT)
Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-6 (NLT)
So on October 8 Ezra the priest brought the Book of the Law before the assembly, which included the men and women and all the children old enough to understand. He faced the square just inside the Water Gate from early morning until noon and read aloud to everyone who could understand. All the people listened closely to the Book of the Law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform that had been made for the occasion. To his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah. To his left stood Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. Ezra stood on the platform in full view of all the people. When they saw him open the book, they all rose to their feet.
Then Ezra praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Reading: Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment….”
Prayer
The word of God challenges us, Do you seek Him with all your mind?
And we respond, Amen. Lord have mercy!
Dear Lord, You alone know what my soul truly desires, and You alone can satisfy those desires.
+ My soul’s desire is to study the Scriptures and to learn the ways of God.
+ My soul’s desire is to be freed from all fear and sadness, and to share Christ’s risen life.
+ My soul’s desire is to imitate my King, and to sing His purposes always.
+ My soul’s desire is to enter the gates of heaven and to gaze upon the light that shines forever.
I trust in You, O Lord. I say, You are my God. My times are in Your hand, my times are in Your hand.
“Love The Lord” – Church of Southland Treehouse
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!
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
The Newspaper Prayer: Find a news article about an issue of concern for faithful American Citizens. Think about how human dignity is affected by the issue or situation. Pray for God’s healing and transformation for all people impacted, lawmakers, and citizens like yourself. Ask God how he is asking you to respond to this issue.
Heavenly Father: I pray for the racial divide in our country of which Charlotte, NC is a prime example.
+ Father: Thank you for Christian leaders, both black and white, who have joined together to bring healing and reconciliation.
The city of Charlotte is experiencing “pain, hurt, anger, disappointment, and frustration.”
+ Father; Thank you for protecting churches close to the fray; make them beacons of hope and houses of prayer.
“There will be no agenda, no program, no music, no preaching, but just men and women of God, on the altar, crying out to The Father! These are serious days, and they require serious people who take seeking the heart and will of God seriously!”
+ Father: These are serious times all across America; we seem to be coming apart at the seams. Jesus be our center; You alone hold all things together. Have mercy on us and do not leave us to our own devices.
Charlotte skyline
“Now is the time for heartfelt and sincere prayers, not political and personal-agenda driven rhetoric. Now is the time for loving encouragement not condemning judgment. In light of the climate in our city, I stand with other pastors and leaders both black and white and our church unites with other churches that [demonstrate] the gospel of Jesus Christ in love and that [seek] the peace of our city.”
+ Father: Bind us together in our Lord, Jesus Christ, and fill us with His love and compassion. Help us to set aside our theological and cultural differences so that we might seek the peace in our cities.
+ Father: Protect the civil authorities who are trying to bring peace and restore order, especially the Charlotte City Police, the State Highway Patrol, and the NC National Guard. Give them wisdom and sound judgement in their decision-making and use of force.
“We pray for the Scott family. The death of a loved one is gut-wrenching under any circumstances. They need our prayers. We pray for the officer involved in the tragedy. This public servant, this protector of all of us, is no doubt hurting as well. Not only the pain of what took place, but the intense scrutiny of each decision, which is life-and-death moments faced all too often, is cause for us to lift up this policeman and his family.”
+ Father: thank you for the rapid response teams from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association who are offering prayer and counsel on the street.
“Much of what we are seeing play out is being perpetrated by people from outside Charlotte. The true leaders, black and white, in Charlotte, who work, worship and raise their families here are all calling for peace.”
+ Father: Hear the cries of our hearts as we bring the good people of Charlotte before You. Deliver them from evil and frustrate the schemes of all evil doers both within and without.
+ In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Father, you have created us in body and soul to honor you and our neighbor and to receive honor and respect in return.
The Peanut Gallery 