FIRST OF MONTH PRAYER, AUGUST2023!

Lord Heavenly Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, we come to you with thanksgiving for leading us through July to a new bright month. May all the glory go to you! And now as we step into this new month we pray that we are blessed of you. For as you told Abraham, “indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies” ( Gen 22:17). You who led the Israelites through the overwhelming waters of the Red Sea may you part whatever dares to rise in our way, for you say, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” ( Exodus 14:13-14). In these perilous times of wars and scarcities, we anchor our faith in you, as you lead us on, for you say, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” ( Deutronomy 31:8). We commit to you the work of our hands, as you say, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands” ( Psalm 90:17). We are encouraged for you say, “Those who work hard make a profit, but those who only talk will be poor” ( Proverbs 14:23). To those in our midst who are weak in the body may they be healed in your name, as you say, “by his wounds we are healed” ( Isaiah 53:5). For any momentary troubles, bending us low, we look up to you with faith, remembering your words, “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Cor 4:8). Sarround us with your consuming love and grace, holding on to your promises, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” ( 2 Cor 9:8). And where there are any traps set in our way or evil directed towards us to paralyse any, we scatter all into the wilderness and render the enemies plan ino naught, through the power of the blood of Jesus, against which no powerrs can prevail! For “The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven” ( Deutronomy 28:7). And all this we pray in your holy and precious name, the name above all names, of Christ Jesus our Lord!