O Sovereign God, Father of all creation, we bow before Your Presence with head and heart and soul prostrate before Your Holy Being. Yet we come in boldness having been washed in the blood of Your Lamb.
As Your people of old cried out to You when in great distress, so we cry out today; the sins of Your people throughout the world, and especially in America, reject Your character and Your teaching. The “Prince of this World” controls the thoughts and actions of many who profess to know you, even using Your name; but the actions from their hearts defy You. Father, You alone can read the hearts of all men. Your Omniscience knew each of us before we were born, yet You require of us that we choose to yield to the guiding of your Holy Spirit. Father, with bowed hearts we confess our sinfulness. We pray as David, “Against You and You only have I sinned.” The fallout from his sins hurt many people, but he knew that his sin was against You, o Lord. O Lord, help us realize that all our sins are against You. Father, You have blessed us through our early history when Your name was lifted up in the affairs of government, in educational institutions, in religious gatherings and in our homes; decisions were made while seeking Your blessings.
When Israel declared their right to statehood, America was quick to recognize their right based on Your infallible word. You have blessed America because of that decision and for remaining a friend of Israel through the years.
Lord, America, as a nation has turned her back on You, attempting to destroy Your Christian foundation, calling evil good and good evil to the extreme of urging elementary school aged children to question their birth as male or female. Father, only You can stop this madness.
Lord, we pray that You will shake up the minds and hearts of Your people to admit and address our terrible sin before You.
O Lord, remind us that Israel is the “apple of Your eye.” As You remind us through Your prophet Zechariah, “For thus says the Lord of host, ‘After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye’” (2:8).
Father, we pray for Your interceding and overruling today in the affairs of nations; only You know the intent of the hearts of all of us. Father, we know that You have faithful believers in Jesus in every nation under heaven. We pray that You protect and comfort their spirits, that You ease their physical discomfort, that You care for them as only You can.
Father, as we view the terror from the comfort of our homes, remind us of Your great love displayed on Calvary, that while we were yet sinners You died for us, so that we could choose to live with You for eternity. Lord, help us to love as you love, to give with great emotion for the welfare of others, to live as You live, looking forward to that great eternity with You and all Your saints who chose to walk with you through this hate-filled earth, to cling to the narrow road that leads to Your everlasting home.
Father, bless the enemies of Israel with open eyes and minds to Your great love. Forgive them as you forgave us through the blood of Jesus. May your saving grace bring joy to the hearts of many who may be enemies of the Cross of Jesus.
O Lord, we don’t know how to pray as we ought. Nudge our spirits Lord, help us meditate on Your explanation given in Romans 8:26-27. Help us to understand the seriousness of calling on Your name in critical times. Nudge us to call on You when the sun is shining and all is well with us; keep us from becoming careless in our daily living.
Father, may the decision to wear the armor of Jesus become an obsession in our hearts as we grow in love with Your holy living and strive to become like You in our daily living (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Thank You, Lord, for the joy of salvation and for the anticipation of the eternity You have already prepared for all who love Your appearing!
Amen. Come Lord Jesus.
Buford Smith Is a Retired Church of Christ Minister in Indiana.