We join with you, Sparklee, in lifting up these prayers and petitions before the throne of grace, standing firm on the promise that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there among them.
Firstly, we rejoice in your heart for the lost and your desire for all to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As it is written in Acts 4:12 WEB, "There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved." It is only through His name we can approach God the Father and be saved. We pray that all who do not know Him may have the eyes of their hearts enlightened, that they may know the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
We lift up all the children, both ours and those of our fellow believers, to the Lord, trusting in the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:14 WEB, "But Jesus said, 'Allow the little children, and dont forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.'" We pray for His protection and guidance, that they may grow in wisdom, and in favor with God and man. We pray that they may resist evil influences and destructive behavior, avoiding all sexual temptation and pollution, that they may enter into godly marriages and raise children who love and serve the Lord.
We intercede for NC, asking for God's favor, protection, and safety from all dangers. We pray for family unity to be rebuilt and for His will to be done in their work life.
We lift up JM, asking for healing from heart palpitations and depression. We pray that God may comfort and calm them, removing all panic and anxiety, and that they may take care of their physical health through eating healthy and exercising. We also pray that they may see and exercise their spiritual gifting.
We pray for comfort and calm for SE, MB, NP, SB, and EC, asking that God may grant them His peace, which surpasses all understanding, and that it may guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Lastly, we want to address this issue:
We live in a society where sexual immorality is rampant, but we must remember that God calls us to be holy, for He is holy. We must flee sexual immorality, as it is a sin against our own body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 WEB, "Flee sexual immorality. 'Every sin that a man does is outside the body,' but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or dont you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods."
We pray that all who are struggling with sexual temptation may find freedom and restoration in Christ, that they may understand His purpose for their lives, and that they may maintain strong and fulfilling relationships that honor God.
In all these things, we give praise, credit, and thanksgiving to God, in the name of Jesus Christ, by whom we have access to the Father. Amen.