God, our King, you rule over all the nations and all that happens within them. We praise you that because you delight in your people and your creation we never need to fear that events have spiraled beyond your will. Nonetheless, we wonder at many of the things happening in our world.
We pray that you would bring the pandemic that is the coronavirus COVID-19 to an end; especially we pray for those in China and the Wu-Han province, that you would return life to normal there. Above that, we pray that you would continue to strengthen the Church in China, and embolden the Christians there to preach the gospel, to serve their country, and pray and work for it’s flourishing, and that by your hand the government there and in many other countries would allow for the flourishing of the spread of the gospel and the Church. We lift up other countries to you now. [Pause]
Because you reign over all things, we pray for you to lead our country this year as we come to another presidential election. We pray that you would keep Christians from giving into the hatred and harrowing that has become so common in our culture. May we and those elected kiss the true king, Jesus Christ, rather than any candidate, and tremble before you, Triune God. We commit never to exalt leaders, but to
Exalt the LORD our God;
worship at his footstool!
Exalt the LORD our God,
and worship…;
for the LORD our God is holy!
We pray for the leaders of our own churches and for the flourishing of the church in Oklahoma: PCA churches, Baptist churches, Pentecostal Churches, Methodist Churches, non-denominational churches and every church that would proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and preach the Word of God, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Strengthen Bible believing churches and correct those churches far from your Word.
We ask for Heritage’s flourishing and encouragement, we ask that we get the privilege this year of seeing 12 new believers baptized this year, as people believe in your great name! And may other churches see many more conversions!
Also, Lord, because you are the God whose very touch brings healing, salvation, and grace: we praise you for John Wion’s new heart and the success in Jason Byrd’s surgery, and ask that you would bring the same healing touch through doctors and your miracles to Gary Peabody. We pray silently now for others who we know need your healing. [Pause]
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory…: Grant that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
