Father, thank you that we can approach your throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.  And a day does not go by when we are not in a time of need.

We praise you that you are eternal and above all.  You are our Creator and sustainer of life.  You have created all people in your image and likeness of God, fearfully and wonderfully made.  And while Genesis 1-2 describe a world in harmony and beauty, we live in a post-Genesis 3 world.  A world fractured by sin, groaning in pain; where death, suffering, injustice and evil are present in our daily lives. 

Amidst such a world, there is one singular hope.  You, our triune God of love.  For you Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abounding in faithful love to all who call on you.  You are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.  Turn to us and be gracious to us.  Give your strength to your servants.

May we be servant leaders, in the way of you, Jesus, bringing gospel good to the world we have been providentially placed into by your sovereign hand.  As we continue in prayer, we use Paul’s second letter to Timothy as our guide. 

For God, you have not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. So we will not give way to fear, but we will live life in light of the promised Counselor, your Spirit, who is in us, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. 

We will not be ashamed to tell about you, Jesus, for you are the One who has changed us, and it is by your power that the human heart can be truly transformed and brought from dead to life, darkness to light. 

We will rely upon your power, God, and not our own.  In seasons of suffering, we will lean on you, and your people.  For you have saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works, but according to your own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.  Jesus, the risen and reigning One, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 

And we have been called to herald this good news, so we will not be ashamed, for we know whom we have believed, and know that He is faithful to save, for salvation belongs to Him.  It is His power, not ours. 

So we will be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  We will faithfully and prayerfully commit ourselves to the disciplemaking mission to all nations and generations.  We will seek to be faithful, available, teachable servants of you Jesus.  Who will be like the soldier, desiring to please our commanding officer and willing to endure suffering like you did.  We will be like the athlete that forgets what is behind and strains toward what is ahead, the goal of knowing you, Jesus, and glorifying you.  We will be like the hardworking farmer, who faithfully scatters seed and trusts you, the God of the harvest, for the growth. 

For just as death or the demonic could not hold you, Jesus, your Word, oh God is not bound.  It is alive and active and never returns empty. 

We will flee youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  We will reject foolish and ignorant disputes, because they breed quarrels.  For the Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing, even our opponents, with gentleness. 

For you God, are the one who grants repentance, leading people to the knowledge of the truth and away from the traps of the devil.

You tell us that in these last days, there will be hard times and trouble.  People will be ungodly, proud, unloving and living for themselves.  There will be false teachers who try and worm their way into households, corrupting the truth, and deceiving people like the serpent did in Genesis 3. 

But we give you praise that they will not win in the end, and in our day, you will give us Sprit-led discernment to recognize their foolishness.  For the days of evil and injustice are numbered.  A day of no more suffering, strife, sin and death is promised for the people of God. 

And until that saving day, when you, our great Rescuer, will return to judge the living and the dead, we will seek to be your people, who will follow in your pattern of faith, patience, love and endurance.  We will live godly lives, despite the persecution that may come as a result, or the evil that seems to be on the increase. 

We will continue in what we firmly believe.  We will hold fast to the sacred Scriptures that give us wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  We will be anchored to the Word for it is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us toward maturity in Christ and equipping us for every good work.  We will continue to preach the Word with great patience and teaching, for it is true, sound, timeless and relevant for all of life.

We will exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill our ministries as members of your Body.  We will pour our lives out, as worshipful sacrifices to you, Jesus. 

We will fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.  We will fix our eyes on you, our beloved Lord Jesus, the One who is the righteous Judge, who is reigning now and one day returning. 

Jesus, it is in your power and authority that we go into all the world to make disciples.  You stand with your people, and you strengthen us according to your vast strength.  You rescue us from every evil, and we are eternally secure and safe in your faithful hand.  May the Word of God spread and take up more ground, bringing salvation, hope and life to all who believe. 

For God, you have not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 

To you be the glory forever and ever! Amen.