Lord,
The earth is yours and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. Nothing is outside of your knowledge or control. Please enable our spirits and our minds to be still and know that you are God. You will be exalted among the nations; you will be exalted in the earth, through whatever events take place in this world.
We know that you are good, and that you do not delight in the suffering or death of your creations, even those who are opposed to you. And we also know that you are no stranger to suffering, yourself. The work and suffering of Jesus is at the core of your gospel, your amazing grace to us. We know that in the days of Jesus’ flesh, he offered up prayers and supplications to you, with loud cries and tears, because you were able to save him from death, and that you heard him. Although Jesus was your sinless son, we know that he learned obedience through what he suffered.
And through this suffering we are justified by faith. And because of this, we have peace with you because of him. We can, therefore, rejoice in the hope of glory with you. And not only that, but your Word tells us that because of this, we can rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because your love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Rejoicing in suffering is counter-intuitive to us. So please help us in this regard. Please propel and enable us to press into You and the truth of your gospel, which gives us relational confidence with you, which has a great reward.
Please give wisdom and prudence to our government leaders. Please enable us to act faithfully at citizens of heaven, ultimately, and also citizens of our earthly communities.
Please enable us to treat our neighbors and our enemies with dignity and respect.
Please help those who have lost, or are in fear of losing, income or businesses.
Please heal those who are sick.
Please comfort and reveal yourself to those who are anxious or depressed.
Please provide for and protect those who are in danger in their own homes.
Please help children, many of whom are learning remotely this year. Please help them to learn and engage with friends, and to endure difficult circumstances. Please help their parents, many of whom are struggling through drastically new work, home and education rhythms. Please help school teachers and administrators; please give them help and wisdom.
Thank you for the gospel and the anchor that it is for our souls. Please enable us to trust in your character and your inscrutable ways as we continue to look forward to the fulfillment of our hope. We ask that you come quickly. But until then we will continue to pray together, like Jesus taught his disciples to pray, saying:
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.Amen.