Lord, you are the one seated on the throne, both in the heavens above and in each of our hearts. You are the great gift-giver, whose gifts are trustworthy and true. Some of those gifts are harder to bear; some of them press us down with pains and sorrows and worries and doubts. Help us to remember that we are given these things because we need them—that we may not grow fat and lazy and forget you, as your people so often have. If we are your heirs, your sons in Christ, than we have your ear. Give it to us now.
We lift up those thirsty for the water of life. Without it, our flimsy flesh breaks down with cancer, failure, sickness, and pain. We pray for all those who are dealing with such things, and ask for a sip of healing in this life, that they may have a sweet taste of the world to come, where they can drink deeply and without payment. Especially we pray for the Flickners and Tristan, that you would not test them beyond what they can bear, but quickly bring them the cool draughts of the river of life.
We lift up those who go out to conquer. Each of us has many trials coming this week—trials we are ignorant of until they leap upon us with outstretched claws. Help us to rely on your strength, your armor, and your tactics in our battles! Give Paula Nadreau and the Madsens peace and victory as they go out to capture immortal souls among the nations; far from home but not from their Captain. Give our expectant mothers and church officers peace and victory as they build immortal souls from the ground up. Give those in the training camps of our schools, college, and ministries peace and victory as they build warriors for Christ one idea at a time. Do not let them grow weary in doing good work. And give the civil realm peace where ever your people gather, that they may do all this without distraction.
We know we do not ask this in vain, for you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and you have promised to have us inherit all things. Nothing can stand against such a promise, for we have it written down in a sure word, and even our pains and doubts cannot block it out.
Amen
[Given at King's Cross, Reformation Sunday, Oct. 30th, A.D. 2022]
