This episode is brought to you by our Ascent Youth Ministry team, Emilia, Jamie and Sherman Lim.
Our Father in heaven, what a joy it is to come before your throne of grace – knowing that we will not be turned away. We come to you as a redeemed people, clad in the righteous robe of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you for the indescribable and incomprehensible grace so freely and unconditionally given to us in Christ Jesus.
Grant us strength to persevere when life becomes unbearably challenging and overwhelming. Remind us through your Word that you will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear. Give us faith to stand up against the enemy who seeks to take advantage of the difficult situations and circumstances in our lives to knock us down.
We come to you on behalf of all who look to you for healing. Just as the children of Israel looked to the bronze serpent – may all who look to Jesus find strength and relief from various afflictions. Strengthen their faith in you. Cause them to look beyond the circumstances of life and look to you as the basis of their joy and hope.
We remember before you those who are bereaved. Meet them in their grief and shift their focus from their circumstances to you, who is their only comfort and hope in their circumstances. Surround them with your love & comfort, & with your peace that surpasses all understanding.
God Almighty, we acknowledge your sovereign control over the universe. You are the great and mighty ruler of all the earth. You are the author of creation and the Lord of every man, every woman and child! You have instituted the family and home to reflect your love and truth! Surely, we can trust in you to protect and to preserve our marriage, our home and the sanctity of family life – which is gradually eroding away in our society today. Save us from those who seek to undermine the family values that are built upon biblical principles and protect the hearts and minds of parents and children from all forms of distractions and deceptions and from the schemes of the evil one. Our hope is not in laws or policies of men – rather our hope is in Jesus Christ alone! Grant your church the courage to stand firm against the tide & to remain faithful and committed to upholding and promoting Christian morality and godly family values.
God of the church, we bring our youths and children & place them before you. They are your gifts to us, & we are accountable to you for how we bring them up.
You know every single one of them by name. You have created them in your image and every one of them has a special place in your heart. We ask for your hand of protection upon them, so that the evil one cannot touch them or harm them in any way.
Help them to stand firm amidst the chaos & confusion & the uncertainty of this world. Help them to persevere in the face of discouraging and pressurizing situations.
Help them to grow in the knowledge of you and to grow in godliness and holiness. Make your Word come alive in their lives. Sow your wisdom into their minds as they read & study Your Word, & as they discuss deeper issues of life, or encounter hardships or difficulties. Grant to each one of them a desire and the ability to see you in every situation and to draw near to you.
Shine your truth into their hearts so that they are able to discern what is right and wrong, what is from you and what is not from you. Enlighten the eyes of their hearts and cause them to see things from your divine perspective. Remove from them the restlessness that causes reckless decisions & give them courage and strength to make the right decisions. Lead them in paths of righteousness & keep them from straying. Surround them with godly & mature people, so that they might experience you through the love and care of family, friends and teachers.
We offer up our prayer in Lord Jesus' matchless name, Amen.
