Prayer Guide for Today, April 6, 2020 by John Rogers

A Response to the Randolph County Commissioners

Declaring Monday, April 6, 2020, as a Day of Prayer

Instructions:  Download and print the document for the number of people following this guide. Allow the Lord to speak and guide you during this time of prayer.  Allow the Spirit to guide you as you offer your personal prayers. The guide includes the words to all songs hymns, and scripture.  Web links are provided to YouTube which includes the words making it easier for you to sing.

ENTERING COMMUNION WITH GOD.

My soul waits for the Lord

 More than watchmen wait for the morning…

                                                             Psalm 130:6 (NIV)

Be still and focus on the reality you are seeking communion with God

PRAY THIS PSALM ALOUD

Psalm 46:1-11 (NIV)

 God is our refuge and strength,

 an ever-present help in trouble.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

 and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

³ though its waters roar and foam

Selah (pause and calmly think about this)

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

The holy place where the Most High dwells.

⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;

 God will help her at break of day.

⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Selah (pause and calmly think about this)

⁸ Come and see the works of the LORD,

 the desolations he has brought on the earth.

⁹ He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;

 he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,

 he burns the shields with fire.

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God;

     I will be exalted among the nations,

     I will be exalted in the earth."

¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;

       the God of Jacob is our fortress

Selah (pause and calmly think about this)

INVITE AND WELCOME THE HOLY SPIRIT

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) - ²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Sing or Read the Song as a PRAYER, Holy Spirit Thou Are Welcome

          Hear Francesca Battisellie sing this song with words on YouTube by copying and pasting the link to your browser.

            Web link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zEiiZi2DKk  

There's nothing worth more

That could ever come close

No thing can compare

You're our living hope

Your presence, Lord

I've tasted and seen

Of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free

And my shame is undone

Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Your presence, Lord

There's nothing worth more

That could ever come close

Nothing can compare

You're our living hope

Your presence, Lord

I've tasted and seen

Of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free

And my shame is undone

Your presence, Lord

Holy Spirit, You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your presence, Lord

Your presence, Lord

Let us become more aware of Your presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness

Publishing: © 2011 Bryan & Katie Torwalt (ASCAP) (All rights adm. by Jesus Culture Music) Produced by Ian Eskelin

¹⁵ When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Watch and sing with Great Is Thy Faithfulness | Maranatha! Music (Lyric Video)
YouTube link” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErwiBz1QA4o
 

• That God would forgive our sins – recognizing that every disaster reminds us of our need to repent

• That God would show mercy on us for our complacency – for believing in our own self-sufficiency and the ability to protect ourselves

• That God would forgive our carelessness – for when we have mistreated the bodies and gifts he has given us and left ourselves vulnerable to illnesses

• For the media, committed to providing up-to-date information: God, help them to communicate with appropriate seriousness without causing panic or political bias. (Different networks have different attitudes in reporting their opinions about the virus and on leadership.  Often out attitudes are shaped by the news outlets we most often watch and read.  (A reminder:  The more hatred grows in a person’s heart toward another, so does one’s inability to recognize any good the hated person may do and increasingly lesson one’s ability to extend any grace.)

• That God would forgive us of any hatred we may have toward any of our elected or media leaders.

• That God would forgive us for when we have loved money or comfort more than loving God or our neighbors

• That God would forgive us for when we fear sickness or death more than him

• That God would show mercy on us when we lose perspective by failing to help all those who die on a daily basis worldwide through abortion, euthanasia, persecution and other threats to human life

• For those doctors, nurses and other health professionals as they come under pressure and strain – that they would be kept free from illness

• That the threat of illness would help many in society recognize their own mortality and their need for hope in the face of death

• For Randolph Hospital, as they serve our community now, and for God to provide a way forward to have sustainable health care in our area.

• For your Pastor and Staff

• For members of our SS Class or small group

• That as a church we would act out of faith, not fear, in its response to the virus

• That we will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us

• That we would be both bold and sensitive in sharing the gospel

• That we would be willing to be examples of Christ’s love for us by sacrificially serving our brothers, sisters and neighbors according to their needs

• Protection for those in the church who are high risk for the virus

• Protect the income of those whose jobs will be affected

• Protection for those in the church who are high risk

• Protect and provide encouragement and needed income of those whose jobs will be affected

• That this will unite us in love and to share the Gospel

• That we will be follower the guidelines given by the President and the CDC.

¹⁴ Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.  ¹⁵ My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
YouTube web link:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3iB30gCqAc
So our faces display Your likeness.
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me. Shine on me.

Pray this Payer by St. Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

READ PSALM 91 ALOUD (ESV)

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

 will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,

          my God, in whom I trust.”

³ For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler

 and from the deadly pestilence

and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense

— the Most High, who is my refuge—

¹⁰ no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

no plague come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

¹² On their hands they will bear you up,

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread on the lion and the adder;

the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

¹⁴ “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;

I will protect him, because he knows my name.

I will rescue him and honor him.

SING OR READ THIS HYMN AS A DECLARATION ABOUT GOD

        GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

there is no shadow of turning with thee;

thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

as thou hast been thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness!

Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see:

all I have needed thy hand hath provided

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]

Great is thy faithfulness!

Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see:

all I have needed thy hand hath provided

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Words; Thomas o Chisholn  FBC license CCLI # 1262645

THE CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS OF SIN

1 John 1:8-10 (NLT2) - ⁸ If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

PRAY THIS SCRIPTURE

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT2)   Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

CONFESS YOUR SIN:

Remember the promise in I John 1:8-10.  Pause on each point and apply Psalm 139:23-24. Don’t rush this.  Sin is serious.   What is the Holy Spirit pointing out to you to confess?

·       Personal Sin

·       Relational Sin

·       Corporate Sin

Possible areas where we may need forgiveness

PRAY PSALM 32 (NLT2) ALOUD

¹ Oh, what joy for those whose

  disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

²  Yes, what joy for those whose

    record the LORD has cleared of guilt,

     whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

³  When I refused to confess my sin,

     my body wasted away,

     and I groaned all day long.

⁴  Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

   My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

 Selah (pause and calmly think about this)

⁵  Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

  and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

 I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”

 And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Selah (pause and calmly think about this)

⁶  Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,

   that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

⁷  For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.

   You surround me with songs of victory.

Selah (pause and calmly think about this)

⁸  The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

    I will advise you and watch over you.

⁹  Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

¹⁰  Many sorrows come to the wicked,

     but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD.

¹¹  So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him!

    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

 Dear God, thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us.  Thank you for our County Commissioners (Darrell Frye, David Allen, Hope Haywood, Kenny Kidd, and Maxton McDowell) who issued the proclamation calling on all citizens of Randolph County to pray today.  Thank you for all around our county today who are seeking your face. Thank you that you are able to bring hope through even the toughest of times, strengthening us for your purposes. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you that you are always with us and will never leave us. Thank you for your incredible sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh.  We thank you that you care for the lost and unchurched.  We thank you that you have entrusted us to share Jesus with others. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for you alone are worthy! In Jesus Name I offer this prayer to you.  Amen.

FOCUSED PRAYERS FOR THESE DAYS

Pray The Proclamation Of The Gospel Will Be Magnified ….

·       That people will come to Christ and trust him as their Savior and Lord

·       That the church will be renewed and revived to boldly proclaim the Gospel

·       That I will become bolder in praying, sharing, and caring for lost people around me .

·       Pay by name people you know who you believe need to be closer to God…

·       Protection for our missionaries working around the world and how to use this time to proclaim the gospel and minister

Pray for Leaders for God to grant wisdom as they set give guidance and set policies.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

·       President Trump, Vice President Pence,

·       The Governor Cooper and State Leaders

·       Mayor David Smith and City personnel; for County Leaders and personnel

Pray for Implantation of Plans to Combat the Virus

·       Manufacturing and distribution of needed supplies

·       Develop of medicines and vaccines to combat the virus

·       Wise and just use of supplies

·       People who pack and who deliver needed supplies – truckers, pilots, train engineers, etc.

·       People who work in our grocery stores, restaurants, etc.

·       People to be responsible in following health guidelines

·       For scientists to be successful in finding a vaccine and other effective ways to protect people from the virus

Prayer for Health Care workers

·       List by name the people you know working in Health Care______________________

God, keep them safe and healthy. Keep their families safe and healthy. Help them to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of this and spouses). Give them compassion for every patient in their care. Provide for them financially, especially if they fall ill and are unable to work. Help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace, so that many would ask about the reason for their hope. Give them opportunities to proclaim the gospel. Amen.

Pray for People Living and Working in the Hotspots

         

New York                          Italy

          New Jersey                       France

          Louisiana                          Spain

          Michigan                           Iran

          California  (there may be more by Monday)

For People

·       For the sick and infected: God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of infection.

·       For our vulnerable populations: God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the uninsured

For our scientific community, leading the charge to understand the disease and communicate its gravity: God, give them knowledge, wisdom, and a persuasive voice.

·       For those with mental health challenges who feel isolated, anxious, and helpless: God, provide them every necessary support.

·       For the homeless, unable to practice the protocols of social distancing in the shelter system: Protect them from disease, and provide isolation shelters in every city.

·       For families with young children at home for the foreseeable future: God, help mothers and fathers to partner together creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers and fathers, grow their networks of support.

·       For parents who cannot stay home from work but must find care for their children: God, present them with creative solutions.

·       For those in need of regular therapies and treatments that must now be postponed: God, help them to stay patient and positive.

·       For workers in a variety of jobs facing layoffs and financial hardship: God, keep them from panic, and inspire our church to generously support them.

·       For business leaders making difficult decisions that affect the lives of their employees: God, give these women and men wisdom, and help them to lead self-sacrificially.

·       For Christians in every neighborhood, community, and city: May your Holy Spirit inspire us to pray, to give, to love, to serve, and to proclaim the gospel, that the name of Jesus Christ might Be Glorified around the World.

Praying for Our Church

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:18-19)

A Call to Pray for the Nation

The chronicler, maybe Ezra, wrote the following words from God to the people of Judah around the 5^th century B.C.

2 Chronicles 7:13-15 (NLT2) - ¹³ At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.

What might God be saying to you and us today through these words spoken to Judah?

Prayer for Our Nation

The following  prayer had been attributed to Billy Graham, to Paul Harvey and parts of to  the Rev. Joe Wright, senior pastor of the 2,500-member Central Christian Church in Wichita, was invited to deliver the opening prayer at a session of the Kansas House of Representatives in 1996.  Whatever the source, the following prayer expresses the concern of many to God.

“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that.

·       We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it Pluralism.

·       We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism.

·       We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle.

·       We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

·       We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

·       We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

·       We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.

·       We have abused power and called it politics.

·       We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition.

·       We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

·       We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

·       Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will, to openly (pray) in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen”

Thank God for Hearing Your Prayers

Lord thank you for hearing my prayers.  Thank you that your Spirit stirs within. Thank you that you are at work, transforming, renewing, making all things new. May you always find me as eager to hear from you as I am for you to hear from me,  Give my eyes to see what your doing, a heart responsive to your voice, and a will to do what you ask me to do.  In Jesus Name, Amen

A Hymn to Sing as a Prayer During These Days

Shine Jesus Shine

Read, sing, or sing along on YouTube Shine Jesus Shine (worship video w/ lyrics

Lord, the Light of Your Love is shining,

In the midst of the darkness shining,

Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us,

Set us free by the truth You now bring us,

Shine on me. Shine on me.

Shine, Jesus shine,

Fill this land with the Father's glory.

Blaze, Spirit blaze,

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow,

Flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth Your word,

Lord and let there be light.

Lord I come to Your awesome presence,

From the shadows into Your radiance.

By the blood I may enter Your brightness,

Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.

Shine on me. Shine on me.

Shine, Jesus shine,

Fill this land with the Father's glory.

Blaze, Spirit blaze,

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow,

Flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth Your word,

Lord and let there be light.

As we gaze on Your kindly brightness.

Shine, Jesus shine,

Fill this land with the Father's glory.

Blaze, Spirit blaze,

Set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river flow,

Flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth Your word,

Lord and let there be light.

Words: Graham Kendick; Music Graham Kendrick. Arr. Tome Fetke FBC License CCLI # 1262645

Written and compiled by John Rogers