I keep hearing this comment, “Our world is in such a mess.” With all that is happening in our world, I am grateful that we have established this regular pattern of joining together for prayer each week. When we bring our prayers to God, we are releasing into God’s hands all that could occur and we are asking God to have His way right in the middle of everything. Not a week has gone by, since we started this weekly prayer appointment back in March, that we haven’t had reason to pray together. There has been both a necessity and an urgency to our prayers. This week is no exception. We look around us and see the number of Covid cases continuing to rise. There is significant dispute with First Nations people here in Ontario and in Nova Scotia. Several people are in really tight corners financially. Both anxiety and depression are affecting people with increasing frequency. So much about our future is unpredictable. And we have the upcoming American election that will have far reaching implications whichever way it goes. WE NEED TO PRAY! The Scripture that is inspiring me for our prayer time this week is from Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Tomorrow, Wednesday October 28th at 1 pm, will you join with us to pray for God’s good, pleasing and perfect will? Thank you for your willingness to be part of this prayer initiative!
Our LORD we turn to You, and want to invite Your ordering of things to bring about Your will. Thank you that Your will is good, pleasing, and perfect. Thank you that you act out of Your unchanging love for us. It is evident that the pattern of this world is leading us in the wrong direction. Thank You that history shows us that when people have humbled themselves and prayed, that You have answered. You have stepped in to take the lead. Your pattern of holiness and grace can change the course of history, as it has before. When circumstances appear hopeless, You our God enter the scene with Your redeeming hope. We recognize our need for You on several fronts. These rising Covid numbers reveal that we are far from having this virus under control. We know that there is inaccurate information being circulated. We pray that accuracy and truth will be employed to see us take significant steps towards seeing this pandemic end. God, the news we are hearing of ongoing land disputes and disagreements over treaty rights here in Canada, makes us aware of needing You and Your wisdom in order for justice and peace to be possible. We pray that we would try to understand both sides and that we would be willing to travel in someone else’s shoes so that insight and compassion can be ours. Please forgive us for the times that we are uninformed about the hurts that have been caused and about why anger erupts. LORD, at this time, we pray that we will not overlook those who are struggling with how they are going to provide for themselves and their families. Please prompt us to know Your will in how we respond. Our hearts are concerned about those affected by depression and anxiety. We can think of people we know who are trying to deal with depression and anxiety and ask for words and actions on our part that will help to bring healing. If we ourselves are struggling with mental health issues, please give us courage to reach out for help. As much as we talk about wanting things to go back to the way they used to be, we know this is not in our hands. So much about our future is unpredictable. We continue to choose to ask for Your will and what You know is the best outcome. Thank You LORD that we can expect You to guide us through the challenges of this time and thank you that we can learn to trust You more. Loving God, we do pray for the political scene here in Canada. We look for how our prayers will help to establish Your pattern for our country. When the pattern of this world deceives us into following what will lead us away from you, please turn our attention and our commitment back to you. We pray for our leaders and pray for individuals who will wholeheartedly seek You. We know that there are many people who are praying for the outcome of the American election. We align with those prayers. Rather than pray for our will, we pray that Your will be done in this election. LORD it is a remarkable thought to think of all the people who are lifting up this election. Some are assuming that their will is Your will. Help us all to set aside our preferences and to welcome the outcome representing Your will and Your way. LORD, when we do witness answers to our prayers, help us to know you more. We are praying that again this week our prayers will bring about transformation. We want to be transformed by Your Son Jesus. Please show us Your will when various things we have prayed about do not unfold in the ways we would have expected or chosen. Thank You our God, that with renewed minds, we can test and approve Your will. We commit to keep on praying and to making ourselves available to serve You in ways that will advance Your will. Where You lead us, we will follow, searching for Your will. To You God be all the glory, in Jesus’ Name! AMEN