Matthew 14
Pastor Lawrence

Prayer of Thanksgiving: O Father, we give you thanks that your mercies are new every morning and that you have compassion upon your people as we look to you for our daily bread and as we look to you for the words of life. We are so grateful that you have revealed to us the name of Jesus and we pray that many today would hear of his fame throughout the world.

Prayer of Confession: O Christ, our hearts are desperately sick (Jer 17.9), as we begin this new day, we implore you that we might only touch the fringe of your garment once again that we might be made well and that we might grow stronger in spiritual health each hour.

Prayers for Government Leaders: O Holy Spirit, we pray that our leaders would not be afraid of the mob in our land making unwise decisions in order to please a few, or merely to keep their own jobs, or because they made empty promises by writing blank checks to evil people (like Herod did). Instead, may they fear the Word of the Lord, respect the rule of law and listen to wise counsel. May they be surrounded by believers who seek to speak the truth to them in love and be convicted of sin, righteousness and the judgment to come understanding that all the rulers of this world will be judged at the coming of Christ (see John 16:8-11)

Prayers for the Persecuted: we pray also for those who have been seized by the ruling authorities and bound in prison for speaking the truth in the public sphere, for speaking out against sin and corruption and for choosing to follow the Law of the Lord when it conflicts with the corrupt laws of men. Lord, have mercy upon them, strengthen their faith and minister to them in their needs.

Prayers for Service: Lord, we ask that you would fill our hearts this day with Christ’s compassion for his people to feed the hungry, to clothe the indigent, to welcome the stranger, to visit the sick and the prisoner…not to send them away but to minister to them in their need.

Prayers for Faith: And may we not be afraid of the wind and the waves, the trembling of the mountains or the quaking of the earth but take heart that you, O Lord, are with us in the storms of life and that you alone are our refuge and our strength.