
A Call to Prayer and Fasting
Recently, Tim Dearborn led some at Bethany through the Esther story and reminded us that when their nation was facing a crisis, Esther and Mordecai first turned to fasting and prayer. As our nation is facing the current crisis, The Prayer Ministries Team feels led to call Bethany to a time of fasting and prayer during the transition of power that is marked by the inauguration next week.
We encourage people to pray either at home or to sign up to pray in the sanctuary, where Covid protocols will be in place. You are invited to consider fasting in whatever way that you feel led, and invited to lift your prayers for our nation at this time and for a peaceful transition of power in our government.
Prayer prompts will be available if you desire, to help guide 30 minute time slots on Tuesday 1/19/21 from 2:00-8:00 pm, and on Wednesday 1/20/21 from 6:00-10:00 am (by which time the President elect will have taken the oath of office). We are grateful to have a community who understands the power and importance of prayer at a time like this.
-
To participate in the Call to Prayer, sign up here: click here
-
For a printable version of the prayer liturgy, click here
________________________
Prayer Liturgy
PRAYERS FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON WORSHIP
Eternal Light, shine in our hearts. Eternal Goodness, deliver us from evil. Eternal Power, be our support. Eternal Wisdom, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Eternal Pity, have mercy on us, that with all our heart and mind and strength we may seek your face and be brought by your infinite mercy to your holy presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart that the barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease, and that, with our divisions healed, we might live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, our governor, your glory shines throughout the world. We commend our nation to your merciful care, that we may live securely in peace and may be guided by your providence. Give all in authority the wisdom and strength to know your will and to do it. Help them remember that they are called to serve the people as lovers of truth and justice; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, help us reverse our ways and repent. Give us your light and truth to guide us; through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of this world and our Savior. Amen.
PRAYER PROMPTS
You may wish to pray…
- That, as a nation, we will exhibit grace and love to those who disagree with us.
- That God instill in our president values and principles of His kingdom.
- That peace will reign throughout our nation leading up to and beyond the inauguration.
- That God would protect our lawmakers, the president-elect and vice president-elect.
- That God will protect and defend the less fortunate and powerless among us.
- That we confess and repent of any actions, as citizens of the United States, that don’t reflect who we are called to be as citizens of the kingdom of God.
- That we, as the church, will remember that God is sovereign and our hope is in the Lord our God.
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 27:1-2, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
Matthew 6:33
….seek first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Ephesians 4:1-6
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Isaiah 43:1-3a
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior.