Weekly Prayer of Encouragement 31 May
Little Sister Tianna Elliott offers the Weekly Prayer of Encouragement 31 May 2020.
My Brothers, Sisters and Friends,
We hope that you are well. However, we continue to suggest that if you or anyone you know is in need of prayer or any other forms of support, please let us know. A request for prayer can be made on the church’s website.
Based on your feedback so far, we appreciate your concern for each other. We are encouraging those who want to provide any form of support for persons who are in need at this time, to do so. One of the avenues to give support is through the church office.
You may be aware that the lock-down period due to Covid-19 has given rise to an increase in certain acts of wrongdoings against our families, based on recent preliminary assessments. There are physical and emotional needs that many families cannot satisfy or manage. This has given rise to relational problems. Some families may have been struggling with similar problems prior to the lock-down, but those situations have persisted or worsened. Many of them, at this time, do not have an escape route so they are caught in living situations that seemed to have caused a manifestation of negative behaviours leading to physical and/or substance abuse.
The Apostle Paul told us:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NIV)
Although we are told of these times and the happenings, which we are called to understand, does it mean that we close our eyes and minds on the issues that face us?
Cece Winans in a song that she sung, “Anybody Wanna Pray” highlighted similar concerns. Some of the words go like this:
Look at the world and all the trouble it’s in
We’ve traded righteousness for pleasures of sin
And now that things have gotten way out of hand
You’re wondering how and you’re wondering when
Hate is filtered right into your home
Takin’ the love that the family once owned
Mothers against the daughters, dads against sons
The way that it looks, seems like evil has won
Anybody wanna pray with me, anybody wanna pray with me
Anybody wanna, anybody wanna pray with me
And chase all these troubles away
This song suggests that we go to God in prayer on behalf of our families.
We hope and pray that our families will embrace what the word of God says about love:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Let us never forget that
“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed“. (Psalm 103:6, NIV).
“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry” (Psalm 146:7, NIV).
I encourage us to persistently pray for our families, and actively be our brother’s keeper, as we aim to be Christ agents.
It is the final week in Family and Child’s Month. We continue to pursue our role of support in prayer as we stand in the gap for our leaders, self, families and country.
Today’s prayer will be led by our own Tianna Elliott. Tianna is 15 years of age, and a member of Grace Youth Ministries (GYM).
Let us pray:
Father God we come in the name of Jesus Christ thanking You for this new day. Lord we know that good leaders come from You. Lord this nation needs leaders with discerning hearts and wise minds. We come to You today asking You to give us wise leaders who will lead this nation in the right direction. Lord we ask that You remove wrong people that are corrupt and living against Your word from influential positions. Let our leaders be people who honour Your Holy Name for it is only from You that they will get true wisdom.
Father, I confess and repent on behalf of myself, my family, the families and individuals of this nation for the many sins that we have committed. We have become people who are only interested in things that give us temporary pleasure. Lord our attitudes and behaviours show that we no longer fear You the way we should. Therefore dear God, I ask You to forgive us. Purify this nation with the blood of Jesus Christ. Turn our hearts away from different idols that we have created as a nation and individuals. Help us to walk in ways that honour Your Holy Name. Give us leaders who will lead us towards You and Your word.
Lord, we pray for church leaders, business leaders, leaders of government agencies and institutions, the Honourable Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness, Minister of Health Christopher Tufton, Minister of Finance Nigel Clarke, health workers and support staff, Minister of National Security Horace Chang, Minister with the responsibility for Education, Karl Samuda, Leader of the Opposition Peter Philips, and their families; Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force personnel and Security Guards.
Almighty God, there are so many people who live in darkness as a result of abusive relationships. Help them, Father, to recognize that abuse can take many forms, not just physical, but mental through verbal and other emotional means. In the name of Jesus Christ, I stand against all types of domestic violence and abuse within families. Where frustration and confusion exist, and even when they feel powerless or fearful, Lord, grant them Your peace. Uphold them with Your mighty and victorious right hand. Allow them to heal and forgive. Show them that, as a person, they deserve to be respected, to feel safe and valued.
At the same time Lord we pray for the sick and shut-ins among our congregants, and their caregivers. So we ask that You grant them comfort, healing, provision and strength.
Even now Father God, as we think about the students returning to school in preparation for exams. I pray that You will keep them safe and protect them and their families from all dangers and harm, especially the Covid-19 disease. Lord we ask that You will help them to have the peace of mind to know that You are God, and You are in control.
These and other mercies we ask in the name of your precious Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Our Weekly Prayers are for everyone. Therefore, if you are also in need of prayer or comfort, please contact us with your request. We would be so very happy to share with you.
