Expressing Our Faith

Powerful Prayers Introduction

In the first quarter of 2025, the Holy Spirit directed the Reid Temple AME Church congregation to not just pray but pray powerfully and without ceasing with the hope and assurance that God would do just what He said He would do. We believe God wants to release His people into a new level of prayer and intercession as some in the body of Christ have replaced the practice of daily praying with only corporate prayer at Sunday morning service. The Bible says in James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This chapter is designed to motivate the believer to a place where faith is increased through powerful prayers and writings.

The Reid Temple Ministerial staff were given the assignment to write prayers and were challenged to write transcendently about the significance of prayer as prayer is necessary in the practice of ministry. Our ministers took the command, “Pray without ceasing,” to heart and were encouraged to pray for the “least of these” every moment of the day.

The source of the prayers and writings in this chapter come from our Ministerial staff taking seriously God’s commandment to always pray. As ministers of the gospel, whether in public or in private, they seek God through prayer with full expectation that God will meet the needs of the world. They’ve prayed about and over issues of concern to the body of Christ and for things and situations some of less faith call impossible.

As you read and meditate on the prayers and writings in this chapter, we hope you will experience something to move your prayer life to a more powerful one. The writings and prayers in this chapter are a compilation of sincere outpourings drawing from a lifetime of spiritual water from the transparent pool reflecting God, only God. They are treasures wrought in the darkness of the dawn and the heat of the noon, on the AME anvil of experience, and beaten into wondrous form by the mighty stroke of the Divine.

The work of preparing these powerful prayers for the press has been a labor of love, consuming hours of effort. We celebrate the work of Sis. Jamie Davidson, Dr. Diana Brown, Rev. Rob Jennings, and Bro. Preston Jacobs.

Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.

Pastor

Teach Us, O God, To Love Ourselves As You Have Loved Us

Rev. Hermia Shegog Whitlock

Eternal and everlasting God, we exalt you. We lift your name that is above all names. We declare, and we decree that you are holy, and there is none like you. We acknowledge that it is you who has made us, and not we ourselves. Forgive us for the sins we have committed against you this day, this hour, this minute. We acknowledge that we are the beneficiaries of your favor. We thank you now for your marvelous twin gifts – your grace and your mercy. Now teach us, O God, to love ourselves as you have loved us.

Your Word says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.”

Psalm 139:14 (NIV). But do we, your children of the African diaspora – global communities of African descent forced to live outside of the African continent due to the transatlantic slave trade – know that full well? Teach us, O God, to love ourselves as you have loved us.

We, O God, have suffered years of generational trauma. We have suffered from selfdoubt that robs us of our joy. We suffer from low self-esteem because for generations we have been discounted, devalued, and disregarded. We suffer from self-loathing that makes us believe we are unworthy. And O, God, we suffer from self-destructive behavior patterns we have adopted to medicate our pain. Teach us, O God, to love ourselves as you have loved us.

Thank you, God, for showing us how to love those who mistreat us, those who abuse us. For you loved us as we were yet sinners. You sent your son, Jesus – who was blameless – yet he died for us. Help us to know our suffering as a people has allowed us to identify with Christ. While Lord, it hurts, our suffering has made us stronger, more beautiful as a people.

Thank you, O God, for showing us love by your everlasting sacrifice. We are eternally grateful. If we learn to love ourselves as you have loved us, we may then genuinely love others in spirit and in truth. Amen.

Powerful Prayers Sis. Christina Haines

Read: Acts 9:1-22 * "So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying." Acts 9:11

● Has life ever caught you off guard? Does the weight of your circumstances have you feeling weighed down or even depressed?

● Are you in a dire situation, and you think God won't respond to you because of your past or choices?

● Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed risky, insane, or senseless?

● Are you in a desperate situation and need to hear from the Lord?

● Are you struggling to forgive someone who has caused you, your family, or your community much pain and turmoil?

● Have you ever been voluntold to do something you did not want to do and you find yourself struggling with the assignment?

Be encouraged. God hears your prayers and is actively moving on your behalf. In this narrative of Saul's conversion experience, Saul physically experienced what some would call a sudden life-changing event, which resulted in Saul praying a powerful prayer that yielded positive results despite Saul's past.

Background:

In Acts 9:9, Saul appears to be in a dark place. He is depressed over the reality of his sudden life-changing event that has placed him in a crippling state. One day, he could see just fine, but an incident occurred in Damascus, causing Saul to become blind for three days (Acts 9:9). For three days, Saul lost his appetite and neither ate nor drank. Saul did not know how long this uncomfortable stormy season would last initially. Saul's life-changing event came out of nowhere; he was completely blindsided. None of the people present with Saul could help change his situation. The scene played before their eyes left them speechless (Acts 9:7). Acts 9:5 paints the imagery that Saul may have attempted to escape his reality, but his attempts were unsuccessful. "It is hard for you to kick against the goads." The Lord revealed to Saul that he was in a state where he couldn't run or resist what was occurring. Whatever Saul may have tried or thought about doing would not work. Saul came to the end of the road where he had no choice but to surrender and submit.

So, what did Saul do? He prays. The Bible is silent on the frequency, length, or intensity of Saul’s prayer. It simply said, "he is praying" (Acts 9:11). While Saul was

actively praying to the Lord, the Lord was actively working behind the scenes on his behalf. This should encourage and remind us of our power when we pray.

● Saul was the man who supported Stephen being stoned to death in Acts 7:58-8:2.

● Saul was the one who wreaked "havoc on the church. Saul ran up houses and dragged out men and women who were Christians to send them to prison, just because they were different from him.

● Saul was an aggressive, dangerous man who openly persecuted Christians. Saul's past, however, did not stop God from hearing his prayer and acting as an advocate on his behalf. While Saul was praying, God was working on Ananias's heart and willingness to forgive Saul and accept him as a brother in Christ. The Lord used Ananias, an ordinary disciple of Christ, to be the answer to Saul's prayer and help him in his time of need. I can only imagine the conversation (prayer) that Ananias had with the Lord when he took his walk down Straight Street. Anaias was transparent about his thoughts and feelings with God in prayer as he surrendered and moved in obedience.

No matter what your situation may be, small or life-changing, be encouraged. God hears your prayer and is actively moving on your behalf. Where Ananias saw Saul as an enemy, God saw Saul as a chosen vessel he could still use. Despite all that Saul did in his past, the Lord forgave him and chose him as his vessel (Acts 9:15).

Prayer:

Lord, help us trust you even when life gets heavy, days pass, and the manifestation of our prayer has not come to pass.

Lord, help us to hear you clearly during this time and show us visions of hope even though we may not believe it will happen.

Lord, help us to trust you when your assignment challenges us, as it did for Ananias.

Lord, give us the courage to obey, the faith to believe, and the heart to see beyond our fears.

Lord, help us to trust You even when Your call challenges our emotions. Lord, let not our knowledge of the known (our past experiences or the experiences we may have seen and heard about through others) create fear that dictates our decisions rather than trusting in you and believing the vision you have revealed to us.

Lord, give us the strength to forgive, the courage to obey, and the heart to see people through Your eyes.

Lord, use us for your glory, just as you used Ananias.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

God Provides

Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.

Dear God,

We have witnessed the devastating natural deadly fires consuming lives, livelihoods, homes, businesses, schools, recreation facilities, and churches in Los Angeles. There is another unnatural equally deadly fire burning the fabric of America and the entire world. These fires have been set by an elected arsonist and band of mindless self-serving minions occupying the Oval Office. These fires are killing long term careers, services for seniors, hardworking immigrants, small businesses, consumer’s budgets, and these political flames are burning people in China, Canada, and Mexico.

God, I hear so many Christians complaining: why did you bring us into this place of pain and anxiety? Even though they were freed from slavery, Jim Crowism, poverty, sickness, and Covid-19, they forgot who delivered them. They complain to clergy, the church, NAACP, and Urban League, questioning their leadership. God their cries reflect the struggle between trusting God and falling into a sense of doubt, despair, and desperation. Some have forgotten who delivered them in the past from racism, sexism, oppression, poverty, unemployment, lack of money, no food, foreclosure, bankruptcy, no car, no new shoes, sickness, no education, and depression.

Despite the doubt and desperation, God, you continually protect, provide, and love us. You continually supply housing, food, water, health care, and guidance. God, we pray to remember to trust in you at all times and lean not to fear and trembling. In all our ways acknowledge you, and you will order our steps, make crooked places straight, remove shackles of doubt, correct wrong thoughts and executive orders emanating from the White House. The bible says in Psalm 20:7 that some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Thank you, God, for loving us, even if we fail to trust you and trust ourselves. Thank you God, you are Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord will provide". Thank you, God, for supplying every need. Thank you, God for Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God AMEN

Prayer of Faith

Rev. Deborah Jefferson

Eternal God our Father, thank you for allowing us to see another day. Thank you, heavenly Father, for your grace, your mercy, and your loving kindness. Thank you Master for always being there for me. Holy Spirit I come praying, trusting, and believing in your word Father, that you are a present help in the time of trouble and that I can cast my cares upon you because you care about everything that concerns me. Please teach me, Holy Spirit, to have patience to know that anything that I ask in the Name of Jesus and it is in accordance with your divine will and purpose for my life it shall come to pass.

Help me Holy Spirit to realize that God’s timing is not my timing, His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are not my ways. Help me Holy Spirit to stand firm on God’s word to know that “the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” “the earnest prayer of the righteous produces wonderful results.” I believe Father and I trust you that all things are working out for my good, no matter how things look, no matter how I may feel, no matter how long it may take, please Holy Spirit help me to Be Still and know that you are God, Be Still and have Faith to know that you are in control.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for reminding me that God is a healer, you are a provider, you are a deliver, you are a keeper, you are a protector, and you are my savior. Thank you, Holy Spirit for reminding me that God has never failed me before and strengthen my faith to know you will not fail me now. Holy Spirit please help me when I am weak. Help me to be strong in the power of your might. Even when it hurts, even when I cry, help me Holy Spirit to know without doubt and faith to believe that you my Father, have heard my prayer and will bring me through whatever challenges I may face with wonderful results for your Glory. Father may your divine will be done here on earth as it is in heaven in Jesus Name I pray. Amen

The Significance of Prayer

Rev. Paul R. Evans

Prayer holds deep significance in many spiritual and religious traditions. It is often seen as a means of communicating with the divine, fostering a deeper relationship with God, and facilitating personal transformation. All of this is true when you consider what is happening in our communities and places we live, work and worship. Prayer is fundamentally a means of communication with God. It provides an opportunity to speak directly to the divine, share thoughts, express emotions, and seek guidance or comfort. Through prayer, individuals nurture their spiritual connection and maintain a close, ongoing and constant relationship with God. Prayer should not be treated as a last resort or a convenient wish as if God is a genie but instead it is to be approached with seriousness and reverence. When approached reverently, prayer has several outcomes that we benefit from.

First, prayer develops spiritual transformation. Prayer has the power to transform the heart and soul. It encourages self-reflection, humility, and repentance. Through prayer, people seek to align their thoughts, desires, and actions with God’s divine will. Over time, consistent prayer can foster spiritual growth, leading to changes in behavior, attitude, and outlook on life. This transformation may lead to a deeper understanding of one’s purpose, the cultivation of virtues such as love and compassion, and the development of inner peace. Some studies suggest that prayer can have positive effects on mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The act of praying may also encourage optimism and coping strategies for handling life's challenges. Prayer can also profoundly impact life by fostering emotional and spiritual well-being, promoting positive mental health, providing comfort and peace, and helping individuals live more intentionally. It offers a means to process emotions, find guidance, and connect with a higher sense of purpose.

Prayer has been beneficial to my life in ways I cannot even begin to count. From healing in my health, to career shifts and even intercession on behalf of friends and loved ones. Praying consistently and intentionally will provoke God to move in ways that will blow our minds, In the good times; pray. In the bad times: pray. When you do not know what to do: pray. As we go through this thing called life and all the uncertainties we encounter and will encounter; remember to keep God first and lean on his word in 1 Thessalonians that reminds us to “pray without ceasing and give thanks in all things” Don’t just pray but also believe that God will do just what he said he would do!

My Prayer

Rev. Sheila McDuffie

Heavenly Father,

I come to you in the name of Jesus, thanking you and praising you for another day. Thank you for who you are.Lord of Lords, King of King my Prince of Peace and a wonderful Counselor. Thank you for being my shelter in a storm. Thank you for being my provider, my ever present help in a time of trouble.

Thank you Lord for this day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I come before you with a heart full of gratitude, thanking you for the precious gift of prayer. What an honor and privilege it is to come boldly before your throne of grace, knowing that you hear me, that you see me, and that you care about every detail of my life..And for that I am grateful.. Lord thank you for the opportunity to come directly to you, and petition my prayers and request..

Lord,I pray for clarity, power, and expectation. I want to be filled with your Holy Spirit, led by your spirit, and aligned with your will. Lord, when I stand in the gap for my family, my friends, community, and this generation, let my prayers reach you, that lives will be changed for the better. And this world will experience an encounter with you.

Father, forgive me for the times I have been too distracted, too tired, or too discouraged to pray. Forgive me for the moments when I let worry speak louder than worship, or when I let fear silence my faith. Today, I make a fresh commitment to seek you daily, to listen intently, and to wait on you with patience and trust, that I may be in your perfect will.

Lord, I pray for a revival of prayer in this generation. Raise up men and women who will cry out to you without ceasing. Stir up a hunger for intercession in the hearts of your people. Let us not grow weary in doing well. We will reap in due season if we faint not. Give us the desire to stay the course not to be anxious for nothing but in everything prayer supplication making our request unto you. Let me never doubt the authority you have given me to pray in the name of Jesus.

Thank You, Lord, for always hearing me, for always being near, and for always responding in your perfect time. I trust you. I love You. And I will continue to walk in obedience to your word. And seek you in prayer, knowing that you are faithful and just and a rewarder of those who diligently seek you.

In Jesus’ name, I pray Amen

Reflection on Prayer: Answered Prayer Sis. Carmen Ford

In Luke 3:21-22, Scripture tells us that after all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. Then he prayed, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice said, “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life…” (MSG). So if you reflect on this passage, God speaks to Jesus immediately after he prays which is a wonderful illustration of what answered prayer looks like. So, The Title that God has given to me for this brief reflection is “Answered Prayer”.

Often, we pray for family, friends, situations, health, finances, peace of mind, or for a change in a specific circumstance in our lives. Or we may pray to hear more clearly from God or for a closer walk with Him. During intense moments, such as when we’re momentarily annoyed when another driver unexpectedly cuts us off in traffic…we blow our horns and pray…God please don’t let that other driver cut me off in traffic again. In those moments, I pray for God to give me the strength to hold on to my faith in traffic…I pray for…traffic grace. And, once the perceived danger has passed, I ask God to forgive me for my annoyance and to forgive the other driver for the reckless driving that annoyed me.

In these hectic times, it’s easy to forget about the prayers that we’ve prayed for ourselves, families, friends, and others that God has already answered. In busy moments, we may find ourselves making demands of God –telling him what we want…what we’d like the outcome of our prayers to be…rather than beseeching him with effectual fervent prayers of the righteous and seeking HIS WILL…And, I would venture that while enduring the vicissitudes of life, we may not be remembering the prayers that God has already responded to…His answered prayers.

Wherever you are today, if you take a moment to reflect, you will realize that you are the answer to prayers that were prayed over you by your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, great-great grandparents and our enslaved ancestors.

If you think for a moment our enslaved ancestors were prevented from worshipping freely…were forbidden from praying publicly…but they persisted in praying that one day, their descendants…you and me…would live to see the day when we could pray and worship freely! Our ancestors persisted in prayer…they prayed without ceasing…that they could raise families without the daily fear of the sudden separation from children and spouses due to the sudden sale of a loved one to another slave master. Just reflect for a moment on their unceasing prayers that God would keep their families together.

Consider for a moment, that though forbidden from learning to read the Word of God…our enslaved ancestors knew the God we serve. They instinctively understood the power of prayer and the Word of God. They believed, lived and held fast to each precious, thought, word or sermon from the Bible that was shared with them. They embodied what it means to be living epistles. Despite the unthinkable cruelties of slavery that characterized their daily existence, our enslaved ancestors persisted in the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous. Because of their sacrifices and prayers then, today, we are who we are.

By virtue of the fact that you’re reading this reflection, you are the manifestation of your ancestors' prayers. So, remind yourself that you are answered prayer. And, remember that we are covered by prayer. Prayers prayed in the distant and recent past, and the prayers that are being prayed today cover us. And, because our prayers and petitions to God are eternal, they will cover and serve as answered prayers for future generations.

Please pray that the children in your family memorialize and recall your prayers as they pray with their children in the future. And, pray that prayer with confidence because Ps. 143:1 promises us that God will hear our prayers, give ear to our supplications and in His faithfulness He will answer us! Yes! We serve a prayer answering God…Amen?

As you read this reflection, please be encouraged and recognize that God has blessed us to be the embodiment of answered prayers…if someone prayed to be visited in the hospital, and you went…you are answered prayer. If someone prayed for a smile, and you smiled…you were answered prayer. If someone prayed for a kind word, and you met them with loving kindness, then you’ve embodied answered prayer. You probably don’t even know it, but you were answered prayer to someone on your pew in church on Sunday...and you don’t even know it. By being answered prayer, you are doing your part in the divine miracles that God performs in our lives every day.

So, in closing, your reading of this reflection on answered prayer today is not a coincidence. The God we serve is omniscient—he knows all---he sees all…God knows the end from the beginning. Before you were formed in your mother’s womb… He knew that you would read this reflection today.

Our elders used to sing a song entitled "Somebody prayed for me". The chorus says...somebody prayed for me...they had me on their mind…took the time to pray for me…I’m so glad they prayed…I’m so glad they prayed…I’m so glad they prayed for me.

Reading this reflection and participating in a sacramental moment of spiritual reflection with God about answered prayer… was predestined by God. Amen.

My Prayer

Rev. Denise R. Moody

Jesus, we come to you today thanking you for who you are and what you have already done in our lives. Please forgive us for every thought, word, and/or deed we have committed against your Word and your Will. Lord, we thank you that when we cry out to you, you hear us and on this day Jesus we are asking for peace. We need peace in our hearts and peace in our minds and peace in the land. We say thank you in advance, Lord. There are so many of us that are down and under tremendous psychological stress and weary of life struggles, so we cast our cares on you for we know you care for us and for this we say thank you Jesus. Today we are stretching our hands to you, and we are looking to the hills from which cometh our help and we know that all our help comes from you so now we are thanking you now for coming to see about your children. We thank you for giving us another day in the land of the living and no matter what is going on in this world; we know you can heal our land.

We thank you right now Jesus for your Word in John 16:33 “you told us these things, so that in you we may have peace. In this world we will have trouble. But take heart because you have overcome the world.” We are praying that you will heal those who are troubled in their hearts, and we’re praying that you would touch the minds of your people and help us to remember that “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world John 4:4.” Lord increase our measure of faith that our faith becomes bigger than our fear and no matter what’s going on around us and no matter what our eyes see or our ears hear that is in the news; Lord we can continue to trust you, knowing that you’re able to take care of us and that no matter what the enemy may try he’s already defeated. We are thanking you right now for peace that surpasses all understanding.

We are thanking you, Jesus, that no matter what the enemy tries, Lord, we choose to have peace in the name of Jesus. Please bring peace all over the land. Bring peace in our homes. Bring peace within our jobs. Bring peace in our churches. Jesus, please bring peace in the nation. In the name of Jesus, we speak peace concerning the wars, Hallelujah!!! We speak peace in the Name of Jesus, to the White House. We speak peace, Lord, to our leaders in the name of Jesus. We thank you, and we praise you for hearing and answering our prayer. Peace!!! We say thank you in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

The Power of a Lament

Rev. Janet Habersham

Sometimes things go wrong, and at other times they go really wrong! Have there been situations when you’ve had to look up to find the “bottom?” Or just when you thought every possible shoe had dropped, another one drops. On top of this, Job's friends show up on your feed, in your inbox, on your phone, or even at your front door with their “talk” about how you’re “wrong.” Perhaps it’s not that you are at bottom or the 100th shoe dropped, but you’ve been the recipient of wrong-doing that no one is willing to correct. What do you do when you find yourself in these types of situations and you can’t find the right words to express your level of pain, frustration, and grief? I’d like to suggest what I call the ultimate prayer of Faith – Lament. Yes, Lament.

Laments are found throughout scripture but the largest group of them are recorded in the Psalms. A Lament is a complaint to God about God. That’s right they are written to God because of a situation, but they are not “about” the situation. They are complaints to God about God, because the Lament declares that the situation, in and of itself, is powerless. It asserts that ALL power and EVERYTHING is subject to God. In other words, stuff can’t happen unless God permits it to happen. In this prayer the Lamenter reminds God, “I have a redeemer and YOU are that redeemer.” In this prayer, you, the Lamenter, are declaring – asking – seeking God to intervene on your behalf against what He has allowed.

A Lament has a specific format. It opens with an address to God, often with a cry for help. Second, the prayer specifies the complaint or Lament. Third, a statement of trust in God or a claim of innocence is declared. Fourth, the Lamenter asks God for help. Often, in this portion, the Lamenter reminds God of the benefits, to God, of why God should respond favorably to the plea for help. And ends with a vow to praise God.

As our Lord and Savior moved towards His final hours of His earthly ministry, He left us a reminder of just how powerful Lamenting is and by doing so, reminds us of the power we have in the prayer of the Lament.

Psalm 22 (ASV)

'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?

'O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou answerest not; And in the night season, and am not silent. '

'But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. '

'Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They trusted in thee, and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. '

'All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying ,

Commit thyself unto Jehovah; let him deliver him: Let him rescue him, seeing he delighteth in him.

But thou art he that took me out of the womb; Thou didst make me trust when I was upon my mother’s breasts.

I was cast upon thee from the womb; Thou art my God since my mother bare me.

'Be not far from me; for trouble is near; For there is none to help.

Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gape upon me with their mouth, As a ravening and a roaring lion.

I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. '

'I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. '

'My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death. '

'For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have inclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. I may count all my bones. They look and stare upon me; '

'They part my garments among them, And upon my vesture do they cast lots. But be not thou far off, O Jehovah: O thou my succor, haste thee to help me. '

'Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen thou hast answered me. '

'I will declare thy name unto my brethren: In the midst of the assembly will I praise thee. Ye that fear Jehovah, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And stand in awe of him, all ye the seed of Israel. '

'For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Neither hath he hid his face from him; But when he cried unto him, he heard. Of thee cometh my praise in the great assembly: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. '

'The meek shall eat and be satisfied; They shall praise Jehovah that seek after him: Let your heart live forever. All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn unto Jehovah; And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. '

'For the kingdom is Jehovah’s; And he is the ruler over the nations. All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive. '

'A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the next generation. They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done it.'

God’s Earthly Sons and Daughters

Rev. Joyce Pugh

Eternal Father,

Thank you for blessings and healing powers, during all seasons. Helping your earthly Sons and Daughters to realize that whatever trouble is weighing them down, darkness overwhelms the light, and sadness takes the place of joy. Let them see with their spiritual eyes and rejoice, knowing that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. You are a present help in time of trouble who will deliver us from them all. Father, during this troublesome season I pray that going through will make them stronger and there will be a testimony to help somebody else.

Father, we gather in unity weekly for worship, being stronger together to give you honor and praise for what You have already done in the past. Your word still stands in the present and future., Let it be our beacon as You get the Glory.

Father, the nation and the world are in turmoil. Give us patience through the difficulties and peace that can only come from Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace. Provide us with the faith of a mustard seed to endure what we are always facing, by continuing in prayer. We desire to establish a stronger relationship with you and ask for forgiveness of sins, by omission, and commission. Through it all continue to make disciples for this dying world, touching lives and leading souls to the Kingdom and keeping us in your loving care through it all. Father, if we had a thousand tongues, we could not thank you enough for the Trinity, the Father, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit who guides, teaches and comforts. You have already provided us so much help for the journey from now to eternity. And knowing that prayers will be answered in your time and standing boldly that it’s all done in Jesus’ name.

Amen

My Prayer

Rev. Keisha Rhodes-Smith

Heavenly Father,

We love you, adore you and we exalt your name. You are almighty, loving, and full of mercy. Your tender loving kindness and generosity towards us has exceeded your great and precious promises. Great is your faithfulness!

We know that you have already given us everything we need for life and godliness. You have given to us through your son and our Lord, Jesus, forgiveness of our sins and a future life lived eternally with you. For these precious gifts we thank you and extend to you the praise and glory that you alone deserve.

We, too, are grateful for the privilege of prayer because it allows an immoral, depraved, and sinful people to come before a holy and righteous God. We are your people, called by your name, and are grateful that we are reconciled back to you, without condemnation. We thank you for looking beyond our faults and seeing our needs. We rejoice because you did not give us what we deserve, because the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Thank you for the gift of life and that more abundantly.

Even you make the troubles we face in our lives endurable because of the privilege and power of prayer. This precious and priceless gift that you have given to us, that comforts us when we fear and when we weep, you wipe away all our tears. When we have a little talk with You, we find rest and are calm because You give us the peace that surpasses all understanding, beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for the spirit of heaviness. When we pray, we are confident that you hear us and are with us as we navigate challenging times because you said in your word that you would never leave us or forsake us.

You comfort us and guide us because you are a good Shepherd. You lead us into your presence where there are quiet streams and where tables are prepared for us in the presence of our enemies. You even provide a way of escape because sometimes the battle is not ours, but it belongs to you.

We are blessed and assured that it is because of our ongoing communication, praying without ceasing, that we remain steadfast and unmovable. You hide and protect us from our strongest adversaries and cause them to stumble and fall. This mighty weapon of mass destruction destroys yokes of bondage, defeats enemies, loose strongholds and sets the captives free. You hear and answer and so we see the sick recover, the enemy’s strategies revealed and the wickedness in high places destroyed.

We know you work all things together for the good of those who love you and are the called according to your purpose. So, we thank you for your love and for Jesus the lover of our souls.

In the name that is above every name, it is the name of Jesus that we pray.

Amen.

Walking with Jesus: A Season of Reflections

Rev. Corwin T. Macklin

This reflection paper on Prayer will capture my spiritual formation development and growth in the context of the A.M.E. Church Board of Examiners (BOE) Institute for Ministerial Training (clergy ordination) and Servant Leadership. During the timeframe from February 2024 to 2025, as a follower of Jesus Christ, my faith walk seemingly reached a period of relationship bankruptcy in my prayer life and intimacy with God. In this season, there were multiple deaths in my family, continuous and challenging periods of grief, disruption, and changes within my immediate family household and residence of living, and the loss of the familiarity and the belonging to an established community and church for over many years all while changing. The Book of Hebrews bridged the gap of my broken heart to that of the Heart of God in my worship and prayer life in reverence and submission to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In turning to the “Rock” of my salvation - Jesus, Hebrews 10:19-22 spoke resoundingly to my spirit through the Word of God saying, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way for us . . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” This passage of scripture along with these words, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions … and He was heard because of His reverent submission” (Hebrews 5:7) provided the necessary wisdom of God and spiritual guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit needed in this rapidly changing season of my faith walk while experiencing loss, grief, change, and transitions. This was a reminder of the teachings on how to pray and the spiritual discipline of prayer needing to be practiced with structure and consistency with an open Heart to God.

The BOE training, seminary, and embracing my personal and practical theology of discipleship and spiritual formation charted a much-needed pathway towards enhancing my prayer life and intimacy with God while studying the passage of Scripture, Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 3:10-11. It points out the necessity of Christ's followers, disciples, and apprentices joining in with Christ in their suffering and self-denial through faith in our Christian journey of living for Christ. This Scripture speaks to the need of all people experiencing Christ's afflictions on the Cross in our sufferings to bring us in partnership with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our response to His act of suffering on the Cross is to rejoice in our faith amid our sufferings as God draws us closer to Himself to be in eternal relationship with Him.

God's divine plan and purpose for our lives have eternal meaning for advancing His Kingdom on earth and in heaven. For this reason, the implications of our sufferings,

afflictions, and the bad we experience during our faith walk are comfort, joy, and happiness. It is my understanding and confidence that there is a reward for me in His work of salvation in and through me for His Glory in His namesake, where I will rejoice in His goodness, love, and faithfulness throughout my life.

There is an understanding of how our suffering "in Christ" and "with Christ" comes in the form of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ nailed on the Cross for our sins. This gift of love and compassion to save us through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, in other words, is "the power of the Cross" in the suffering. We suffer in pain and hardship with the understanding that the "Christ in us" and the "Christ with us" are the everlasting power and presence of God's work through us. In our submission of shouldering our afflictions, pains, and sufferings, spiritual formation and transformation into Christlikeness forms is His image given "the power of the Cross." Our sufferings and sacrifices bear witness to the love and compassion of our Father to reveal Himself and draw others unto Him for a glorious relationship with Him to experience His presence and power in our lives. The suffering and the experiences of affliction in our lives allow the process of faith affirmation to occur within our hearts to trust and believe in what we do not see.

Therefore, our trust depends on our interactions with truth and lived experiences. The truth with the living proof and life impact becomes an imprint on our hearts. Our sufferings and afflictions deepen our trust in God because our faith is maturing through His grace and love experienced in our hearts.

I believe God is inviting me to embrace more fully "to pray for prudence." Given my vocational ministry of executive coaching with Christian Leaders, prudence is a characteristic I pray for fervently to exercise sound judgment and careful thought in making decisions, providing advice, and sharing experiences for applicable lessons and principles to consider in leadership development.

It is prudence that I seek to practice in thinking clearly, getting counsel from others, considering all relevant factors, possibilities, difficulties, and outcomes, and being patient and willing to wait on God for the right timing in the decision-making process. My approach as a Christian leader to understanding endings and new beginnings indicates an area of spiritual development and growth is needed in the application of theology to my personal life and leadership. However, there is room for improvement in spending quality time with God in fervent prayer to discern where He is inviting me to let go in specific areas of my life to experience new beginnings with gladness and expectations of being on Mission for God.

In this season, my prayer and reflection time opened my eyes to embrace the significance of learning what it means to "take up your cross and follow him -Jesus" (Luke 9:23). Grieving is still foreign to me because of my family of origin, background, historical context of dealing with loss and grief. I am either suppressing or ignoring feelings and not facing the reality of the loss, death, and endings in my life. In preparing my heart to be open to God’s Heart, Will, and Purpose for me, my prayer time and reflections in this season hasten me to practice self-awareness and centering myself to openly receive the will of God for every situation through prayer, solitude, and being fully present to God in discerning His voice.

I now have a fresh perspective of leaning into grief, depression, and death as opportunities to experience God's pruning and perfecting of my inner man to be shaped and molded into Christlikeness. The grieving process for endings I have experienced during my life is a work in progress. Today, by the grace of God, prayer, my loving spouse, and my family, I am finally healing from years of avoidance of my feelings, emotions, and fears of endings throughout my life. I am leaning into the Holy Spirit for guidance and spiritual maturity so as not to follow my feelings so closely that I miss God doing a new thing in my life because of endings.

A Prayer for Peace

Rev. Bobby Richardson

Dear Heavenly Father,

I come before you, Lord, on behalf of the world we live in today. There is much unrest in the world. Lord lead and guide us with the Holy Spirit. Leviticus 26:6 says I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. And I will remove harmful beast from the land, and the sword shall not go through your land. (NIV)

Father, touch the hearts of our leaders in our country to unite the country and not separate the country—our President of the United States, the Congress, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Let them remember that they represent the people of this country and not themselves. I pray for our local government officials, governors, councils, and mayors. Father, we need leadership in this country today to listen to your voice and not their own. You said in Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

Lord, there's so much violence in our streets, and young people are losing their lives every day. Help the parents, dear Lord, to raise their children. Proverbs 22:6 says to train children in the way they should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (KJV) This would help our children make better life decisions, enabling them to positively influence others in our society.

Please help us be brave and not fear going into the streets, neighborhoods, and communities to spread the gospel. It is essential that the church goes beyond the four walls and into the beloved communities to encourage those who don't have hope and meeting the needs of the people who are less fortunate. Father, you say that what we do unto the least of these, we do unto you. Holy Spirit, help us to be brave and know that all things are possible through God, who strengthens us.

Jesus, help us to be steadfast and unmovable and trust in you always, no matter the circumstance or situation we may find ourselves in. You said, Lord, in your word in Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Amen

These are scriptures to meditate on when you need peace in your life:

John 16: 33-I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulations. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

2 Thessalonians 3:16- now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Isaiah 26: 3-you keep him in perfect peace who mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

John 14: 27-peace I leave with you; peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, but I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Prayer - Relationship

Rev. David Clark

In the beginning God chose not to rule this world unilaterally. He designed his human creation to be stewards at the beginning. The Bible says in Genesis 1: 27-28 (NLT) “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Relationship with God is the zenith of human beings existence. Father God created us human beings to be His children to have a relationship with Him forever. He does not want to be separated from us. That is why His grace and mercy is extended to us. He has given us responsibility over this world, and He rarely intervenes unless we invite Him. He is Lord, but we are His agents. And He has chosen not to circumvent His agents but to work through them. As landlords of His earthly holdings, we become cosigners of His decrees. We are the vehicles of His work on earth. That’s why we pray.

In the Old Testament people prayed to the Lord as a supreme being but not necessarily assuming a connection as family members of the Lord. An example is Solomon’s prayer of Dedication in 1 Kings 8:22-26; 54-62 (NLT).

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven, 23 and he prayed, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today. 25 “And now, O LORD, God of Israel, carry out the additional promise you made to your servant David, my father. For you said to him, ‘If your descendants guard their behavior and faithfully follow me as you have done, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’ 26 Now, O God of Israel, fulfill this promise to your servant David, my father.

The Dedication of the Temple- 54 When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the LORD, he stood up in front of the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands raised toward heaven. 55 He stood and in a loud voice blessed the entire congregation of Israel: 56 “Praise the LORD who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon

us. 58 May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors. 59 And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the LORD be before him constantly, day and night, so that the LORD our God may give justice to me and to his people Israel, according to each day’s needs. 60 Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other. 61 And may you be completely faithful to the LORD our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.” 62 Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the LORD.

In the New Testament, Jesus strengthens the relationship with praying. In Matthew 6:5-13 (NKJV), he teaches believers relationship praying,

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Although Jesus let us know about our strong family relationship with Father God, we must know Father God honors his original plan of giving us responsibility over this world. That’s why prayer is so important for us. We are praying His Kingdom into earth. Though we still pray to Him, more importantly we pray with Him. We are praying as one with Father God, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The energy behind family relationships and oneness helps to strengthen faith and expectations regarding answers. There may be times when we pray in an attitude of fear, despair, bitterness, or judgement, hoping God will answer but braced for the disappointment you expect to come. You want to believe, but you also want to guard your heart. That’s natural. But Jesus clearly urged his disciples not to hold back, not to put boundaries around their hearts that protect them from disappointments. He told them to go ahead and have faith in Father God and believe.

My Prayer Sis. Crystal Young

Most Wise and Eternal Father,

We come to You today with sincerity, honesty, and repentant hearts. First and foremost, we give you thanks for everything you have done and for what you are going to do. Today we place absolute faith in you through prayer, our strongest, our greatest form of communication to You—our fears, our struggles, our hopes, and our joys. In humility, we open ourselves to Your presence through confession, acknowledging our need for Your forgiveness and grace.

As we stand before You, Lord, we wait patiently and faithfully for Your divine response. Heal those who are broken in body, mind, and spirit. Deliver those trapped in darkness and set them free with Your light. Strengthen those who feel weak, reminding them of the boundless power found in You.

Today we lift our heads and are reminded that you are the beginning and the end, our weapon used for protection from the enemy and those things and people that do not align themselves with your WORD; we know and acknowledge that you are a GOD that speaks when you are spoken to and responds accordingly. We pray that the pressure of the world does not force us to lose our grip but, allow our faith to encourage us to continue to hold onto your unchanging hand.

We trust in Your timing and in Your perfect will, Lord, knowing that Your answers bring transformation, peace, deliverance and hope. May we be vessels of Your love and courage as we lift our prayers as petition and intercession for ourselves, our loved ones, our community, these United States of America and the world.

This is your servants’ prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus. Amen, Amen and Amen.

Rev. Odessa Simpson

Prayer is communing or talking with God. I find that I rarely do it the same way on any given day. Sometimes it is listening to a song that causes me to think of something to pray about. Sometimes a person comes to mind that I have not thought of in a long time. This is God’s way to instruct me to pray for that person. It may also cause me to call them and see how they are doing. Sometimes prayer is reading my Bible and thinking of what I read and how it applies to my life and waiting for God to speak to me as I am quietly meditating on the scripture.

My prayers are different based on what is happening at a particular moment in my life. My challenges with prayer happen when God does not answer quickly. I know that is silly but sometimes I get annoyed when I believe I should have a quick answer. I have lived long enough and been through enough to know that sometimes when I pray for something I want my timing is off, God knows when I asked, I am not ready to receive it. So therefore, God delays until a better time for me. This used to cause me to doubt but now it just reminds me to be patient in my waiting for God to answer my prayers. I also get the “no” answers from God and those are very frustrating but with growth and maturity comes the realization that God knows what is best for me.

One of my favorite scriptures is in Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me (KJV), and The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. (NIV). This makes me think of my most frequent prayers for my family, especially my husband and children. My years of praying for my children have brought challenges and blessings from God. He has reminded me to stop trying to accomplish it my way. Let it go, he can manage it. He does not need my help. I have heard from God “I am God I need no help from you.” It humbled me. If I believe the Scripture reference above, I can leave it in capable hands because he loves me and cares about what concerns me.

I am closing with two things:1) Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice (Philippians 4:4). No matter how hard the situation we can always find a way to give God thanks. 2) Whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and good report think on these things (Philippians 4:8). Remember with God there is always something good or pleasant to focus on. Take your time with God to focus on all the ways he has made and the situations he has brought you through because of those moments in prayer where you talked to God, and he talked back to you.

Amen

Another Prayer from my War Room

Rev. Vivian Smith

O Thou Great Jehovah. Elohim, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, we beseech Thee now on behalf of those that are hurting, downtrodden, and confused. We need you like we’ve never needed you before. Father, we're crying out to Thee. You said that when our hearts were overwhelmed, we could come to you. You said you’d never leave us nor forsake us. That when we called on you you would answer and show us great and mighty things that we knoweth not.

Oh Lord, we know you to be a sovereign God. And because you’re sovereign we’re coming to you for wisdom and understanding. We’re asking you to direct our path, and to lead and guide us in what seems to be a very dark and dreary time in our lives. You said you’d be our refuge and strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. Lord, your people are in trouble and we need you to rescue us. The leaders of our nation have sought to destroy your people, to take us back into bondage, and to take away our rights and dignity. The peace and justice that our forefathers fought so hard to win for us.

Father, we need you to destroy every wicked and evil spirit that has come up against your people. We know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through you to the pulling down of strongholds. We know that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. But there is no one or anything mightier than you. So Father, we decree and declare peace over your people. Cover us with your blood. Open doors and make ways for your people. Help us to withstand every fiery dart of the enemy. For you told us to walk by faith and not by sight. You prayed for us that our faith would not fail. So we’re standing with our war clothes on ready to fight. For this is the evil day, and we have put on your whole armor. And we stand with our heads held high, and we say in advance “Thanks be to God who has given us the VICTORY.” Amen…

The Prayers Are Still Being Answered

Rev. Damon M. Ray

From the shores of Africa to the hushed harbors of the enslaved, from the fiery battlegrounds of the Civil Rights Movement to the fervent prayers of today, the cries of our ancestors still echo in the heart of God. Prayer has been our sacred bridge to God, the weapon of the weary, the shield of the persecuted, and the unshakable testament of faith in the face of despair. It is the lifeline that has sustained generations, the divine force that has turned pain into power, and the relentless whisper of hope that will never be silenced.

The prayers from our ancestors persist beyond time because they continue to receive answers which mold and direct our path forward. Our African forebears, in the face of imminent capture, lifted prayers to God; seeking divine blessings for their families and communities, and protection for their lineage. Through this act they demonstrated a deep spiritual connection with God, affirming their belief in Him. Despite being ripped from their homeland and thrown into the dark abyss of uncertainty their faith remained strong. As they crossed the Atlantic Ocean their prayers remained alive in their hearts while they murmured their requests through wooden ship planks believing God was listening despite their immense suffering. The enslaved converted prayer into a tool for survival within their secret worship spaces. Deep in the woods and hidden from sight beneath night's cover people made sacred spaces where they called upon the Lord despite being forbidden to worship. In a quiet moment of prayer with heads lowered they asked for freedom, justice, and the power to press on.

The entirety of their prayers remained unseen to them, yet their unshakeable faith guaranteed the fulfillment of God's promise. They trusted in a God who listened to their pleas while whips cracked, and chains tightened around them. As people gained freedom and fought for civil rights, prayer served as the continuous power source that propelled successive generations. Every march and sit-in and demand for justice received its power from this force. The same faith which supported enslaved people served as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s foundation when he addressed his congregation from the pulpit at the forefront of the movement. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous words “I have a dream” emerged from atop centuries of prayers from those who had previously shared his vision. The protests through hymns, the prayers in jail cells with bowed heads, and each beseeching whisper of “Lord, have mercy” continued the legacy of prayers that couldn't be silenced. The prayers that people have been making continue to receive their answers in the present day. Despite living in a world that continues to struggle with injustice, people who seek equity and dignity still turn to prayer. We occupy the spaces of church pews and kneel next to hospital beds. We pray for our

children, and we pray for our communities, and we pray for our world. The same God who listened to enslaved individuals praying and who supported our forebears through hardship remains the God who hears our prayers today. We are the evidence that prayer works. We represent the living proof of enduring faith that remains dynamic and real. Our prayers today connect us to the God who answered prayers in the past because He continues to answer them now.

And so, we stand as living witnesses’ testaments to the unbroken power of prayer. The same God who heard the whispered cries of the oppressed, who strengthened the weary hands of those who fought for justice, and who walked with our ancestors through fire and storm, is the God who still moves today. Our prayers are not echoes drifting into silence; they are declarations of faith, calling heaven to earth. We do not merely hope; we believe. We do not just speak; we expect. We are not waiting for victory; we are walking in it. For the same God who answered our ancestors is answering us now. And because He is still faithful, we believe beyond what we see, we expect beyond what we feel, and we declare right now; victory is ours in Jesus' name! Amen.

Where Has Your Faith Gone?

Sis. Courtney P. Coleman, M.Div.

God, we thank you for this day. We come, giving you all the honor and glory that is due your name. Thank you for watching over us and seeing fit that we would continue to be in the land of the living! We bless your name for all that you’ve done for us and through us.

Today we asked that you have mercy on us and our land. Your word says in Psalm 119:156 that “Great are your mercies, O Lord; revive me according to your ordinances.” So, as we continue to move in mercy, giving so of ourselves, show us how great your mercies are, and revive us according to your ordinances. This world is facing so many tragedies and uncertainties. Every day our eyes and ears are filled with negative information and destructions that look to push in on all sides. Yet your word tells us that we would face these types of tribulation and persecution, but to be of courage, for you have overcome the world! So, as we see all that is happening with our natural eyes, increase our faith. Increase our faith in these moments. Remind us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. We can’t see that you are working. We can not see that you have everything under control when the government is turning on its head, when our climate is being affected by fires and floods. Yet will we trust you! Yet will we continue to believe in you and your word God.

So, we come asking for your guidance Lord. Reveal to us what you would have us to do. Show us how you desire for us to move, and we will be quick to obey. Hear our prayers oh God! You tell us that if we ask, it will be given to us; if we search, we will find; and if we knock the door will be opened. We are asking that you show yourself strongly in these moments. We are asking that the righteous not be forsaken. We are searching for you and your ways, and we believe we will find them and you in these moments.

So, forgive us God! Forgive us for not seeking first your Kingdom above everything else. Forgive us for not fully trusting you in the difficult moments. We ask for your forgiveness for the things that we know of and those things that we did not know hurt you. Show us the faces of those that we need to forgive. Bring back to our remembrance those who have wronged us, so we can release in order to be in right standing with you.

We love you God and we thank you in advance for hearing our prayer and answering us. We thank you for your love and protection that you show us day after day. We will forever be quick to give you all the glory and all of the praise. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

The Gift of Tears When Words Fail

Rev. Camy Walton

I have a confession to make - I’m a crier.

Not just one who gets misty-eyed watching romantic comedies, though those get me too. I cry hearing stories of struggle, when I see injustice, and when I witness suffering in the world. My husband and children often ask, “Mom, are you crying…again?”

For years, I wondered why I felt emotions so deeply, like they were my own. I thought something was wrong with me. This deep empathy intensified after becoming a mother the second time, and I questioned whether I struggled with postpartum depression. How could I feel so much and shed so many tears for situations that weren’t mine? I saw my tears as a weakness, something I needed to suppress, especially when praying and ministering to others. Then I learned about what some call the gift of tears, which is deeply tied to the spiritual gift of compassion. It is a divine means of connection with God, and an expression of prayer when words fail.

Have you ever knelt to pray, knowing you needed to pour your heart out to God, yet found yourself unable to form the words? It’s a hollow, helpless feeling.

How do we pray for an administration that is bent on breaking the spirit of the church and the fabric of the diverse contributions our country is founded on?

How do we pray for families being torn apart by “Family Separation” practices, causing fear and uncertainty?

How do we pray for the “undoing” of progress made in government and corporate sectors where all Americans work and use their gifts and talents?

How do we pray for the hundreds of thousands of people facing unemployment as the government “streamlines non-essential personnel”?

How do we pray for our church congregations that are growing smaller by the week?

The ongoing pursuit of social justice can feel crushing. I often find myself speechless. Romans 8:26 reminds us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. When our thoughts refuse to organize themselves into coherent sentences, our tears become our prayer and our voice.

Tears don’t mean weakness or defeat; they are our surrender. They are our offering to God and recognition of our need for Him. Psalm 56:8 says, “You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Not a single tear is wasted. They are seen, valued, and held by God.

The metaphor of tears and water runs throughout Scripture. Just as rain nourishes the earth, our tears water the seeds of God’s grace. Injustice, loss, and hardship may bring sorrow, but God transforms our mourning into purpose.

So, embrace your tears. Let them flow for the hurting, the displaced, and the forgotten. They are the bridge between our suffering and God’s miracles. And I trust that He, who sees every tear, is still at work bringing justice, healing, and hope to those who believe. Amen.

A Warrior Woman’s Prayer for Focus

Rev. Debyii L. Sababu-Thomas, Ph.D.

Good morning, God!

I come to you today overwhelmed and exhausted by all the important and “not-soimportant” things that are on my agenda. Although I have turned in all my “Super Woman-Wonder Woman” badges to depend on you, I will keep reminding myself that I am more than a Conqueror through Christ Jesus!

Like the Warrior Woman you have called me to be, I am determined to keep the deluge of distractions at bay. I will be wise and vigilant and remember that no matter what happens today, the enemy is still defeated. Even though it seems as if the forces of darkness, injustice, oppression, hate, and evil are gaining more ground, I know that you are still on the throne. I trust in you!

I bring my thoughts into alignment with your WORD and hold them captive to all that you have told me! I will not forget why I am, who I am or whose I am. As I move toward the victorious destiny you have for me, I will be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work to which you have called me.

I embrace the charge you have given me, the calling you have on my life. And, I will not turn to the east, nor the west. My face is turned toward you, like a flint. My eyes are on you! My mind is stayed on you. My heart is fixed. My steps are aimed forward. I am on my mark!

I will not be distracted by "all the things that I have to do.” Nor will we feel discouraged by "all that I did not do.” I will deal with each task purposefully, one by one by one.

Oh, God. As I pray for me, I also lift my Warrior Sisters and Brothers in prayer as we all proceed through our day today and all that is required of us. Please

● Release a "word from your Word" that will ground us in your presence as we speak it all day over everything we do,

● Show us how to distinguish what is busy-work from what is destiny work,

● Teach us how to take strategic breaks on order to preserve our energy and flow,

● Reveal to us “lights at the end of a task's tunnel” so we will see what we are accomplishing,

● Give us a song, an energizing melody, that we can put in our hearts to sing while we are working,

● Provide us with the peace that passes understanding so that anxiety will have no room to wear us out,

● Remove any residue guilt from previous failures so that we will be confident that you have given us new mercies to move forward, not backwards, and

● Empower us to saturate all that we do with moments of Prayer and Praise to honor You.

God, help us remember what is most important is that we must "First, Seek You and Your Will" so that All Things (whether tasks, thoughts, trials, etc. ) will work together for our Good.

Thank you, Father, for hearing our prayer and reassuring us that no matter what happens we will not be distracted nor defeated! Thank you, Jesus, for showing us the way, and Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being with us and bringing all that we need to do to fruition!

In the Name of Jesus, Amen

Prayer for Those at War

Rev. Hermia Shegog Whitlock

O Lord, our God, how excellent is your name in all the earth. If we had ten thousand tongues, it would not be enough to extoll your exceeding greatness. We thank you for yet another day to give you all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. Now, God, forgive our sins as we intercede in for others. Let this prayer be righteous and effective.

We know your Word says in Matthew 24:6, “you we will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” But you told us, O God, not to be alarmed. We stand on your promises in faith.

While we await, Lord, your second coming, we pray for people all over the world who live in war torn countries. We pray for the babies in Ukraine and Russia who have no homes to cover them, no schools in which to learn, and no hospitals to care for them. We pray for the refugees of Gaza and Israel, who fight an ancient battle foretold in the book of Genesis. Lord, may the fragile peace you have orchestrated for those men, women, and O God the children hold fast.

Lord, God, we also lift the people at war in the continent of Africa whose stories are not written in the daily news reports. We ask that you align factions fighting a civil war in Sudan. We pray that you comfort families in Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as communities in Nigeria. Lord, send your comfort to the children who are crying endless tears, the mothers who feel hopeless, and the men who are battle weary.

At your appointed time, O God, would you bring everlasting peace? Would you help them beat our swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks? We pray for the day we shall learn of war no more. In the mighty and strong name of Jesus. Amen.

Praying Through the Noise: Finding God in the Chaos

Brother Kwame Phillips

No matter where we find ourselves on the journey of growing in Christ, it is nearly impossible to avoid seasons where chaos and noise threaten to overwhelm, overtake, and overshadow our ability to actively seek God’s voice and direction. At times, our world is loud—filled with distractions, conflicting messages, and relentless demands that compete for our attention. Social media bombards us with misleading content, while constant negative news amplifies fear, leaving us exhausted from deciphering what is true, what is right, and what is spiritually sound. Even our personal struggles create an internal conflict—self-doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty echoing in our minds. And yet, the call to prayer remains.

Many of us have experienced that instinctive moment while driving—when we turn down the music, silence a podcast, or hush a conversation. Not because our ears cannot hear, but because our minds need clarity. When we feel lost or unsure of the next turn, we instinctively turn down the noise until we find our way to our destination. This is more than a learned behavior. It is a reflection of a deeper truth: clarity comes in stillness.

But what happens when we cannot turn down the noise? When the distractions, disruptions, and demands refuse to be silenced?

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced one of His most intense spiritual battles (Luke 22:39-46). The noise surrounding Him was not just external. It was internal. The weight of suffering was very much present and intense. His closest allies, meant to stand in solidarity, could not stay awake to pray as he requested. His humanness wrestled with the divine plan. The agony was so great that He longed for the cup of suffering to pass from Him. Yet, in the midst of it all, Jesus persisted. He prayed. He poured out His anguish. He surrendered. And though God did not remove the suffering, He sent strength. Luke’s Gospel tells us that an angel appeared, ministering to Him (Luke 22:43). Jesus did not allow the noise of fear, abandonment, or pain to separate Him from His purpose. He did not let the fatigue of his friends, the looming betrayal of Judas, or the weight of the cross deceive, distract, discourage, or detour Him.

Like this example of many similar stories in the Bible where one had to pray despite the noise, we have to find ways to navigate in prayer when it attempts to drown out our thoughts, our sound, and our clarity. Noise comes in many forms, each threatening to overwhelm our spiritual connection and create distance between us and God. Constant exposure to noise—whether external or internal—can become negative

stressors that will attempt to diminish our focus and make it harder to hear God’s voice. We are called to develop a prayer life that is not contingent on quiet surroundings but rooted in unwavering faith.

We must learn to pray through the noise—not just in the absence of it. True prayer warriors are not those who commune with God only when all is still, but those who seek Him when life is loud, unpredictable, and turbulent. We are charged to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Persistent prayer is not about ignoring reality. It is about anchoring ourselves in the One who chases storms and keeps company with us in the midst of them. It is about refusing to let the noise separate us from God’s presence and making room for His voice to cut through the distractions.

For me, learning to pray through chaos has been a journey of intention. I have encountered God in unexpected places—not in the absence of noise, but in the midst of it. I’ve taken long walks on a trail, letting my mind breathe and my spirit settle. With each step, I made space for God to speak—offering up prayers, sometimes in words, sometimes in silence. This was a way to share my cares and worries of life with God and for God to remind me through his word that even in the noise, He is still moving.

I have gone to the gym, placing my body, soul, and spirit in motion. Though surrounded by people and music, my focus remained fixed on Him, and He met me there—whispering wisdom, aligning my spirit, strengthening my heart.

I have woken early to journal, capturing my prayers and thoughts before the demands of the day could cloud my mind. Writing became a sacred conversation, a way to pour out my spirit before the Lord and receive His clarity.

I have used moments during lunch breaks to meditate, write, and reaffirm my faith—reminding myself of God’s promises, aligning my desires with His will, and settling my spirit in His sovereignty.

I have learned that to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10) is not a call to inactivity, but an invitation to anchor ourselves in Him. It is the assurance that even when the storm rages, when the wilderness feels like isolation, and when life constantly feels like barriers—God is still God. He does not waver, nor does He fail. He fulfills His promises, makes a way through the impossible, and leads us forward in faith.

But I had to get creative—because life was tough, and my prayer life was under attack. Worry consumed me. I found myself expecting the worst, bracing for disappointment, and struggling to hear God through the noise of my own fears. I realized that if I wanted to pray through the storm, I had to intentionally place myself in

spaces and environments that would shift my thoughts, change my perspective, and enhance my tools for prayer.

I had to learn that prayer is not confined to a place or a posture—don’t box your prayer life in. God can meet you wherever you are. So when life gets loud, don’t wait for silence to pray. Seek Him where you are. Pray as you move. Worship as you work. Be still in your spirit even as you walk forward in faith. God is not absent in the noise. He is present, speaking, strengthening—waiting for us to seek Him through it all.

Love Your Enemies

Rev. Shawn Annette Jackson

Matthew 5:43-45 (NRSV)

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”

Over the last several weeks, many would say that federal workers have been terrorized by the endless threats to their employment. Job furloughs, reduction in force notices, and emails demanding that we give an account of what we have worked on for the last week. These are fear tactics being used by those who persecute us.

To add insult to injury, there have been mass layoffs of probationary federal employees. A twenty-four-hour news cycle that constantly reminds federal workers that their jobs will be terminated. Federal workers and their families are feeling unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. Despite what we see happening to us at the hands of the enemy, we must remember to pray for our enemies.

We have a Savior who loves us and who loves our enemies. We are reminded that even the unrighteous benefit from God’s blessings. Even those who persecute us feel the warmth of the sun and the breath of life that comes from the oxygen that we all freely breathe.

Prayer: Eternal and all-wise God, help us to reflect the love of Christ and the character of our heavenly Father when we pray. Please give us the strength and the courage to pray for those who oppress us. May the love that you extend to us and to our enemies be the balm that heals our hearts, our minds, our souls, and our land. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Reflection on Prayer

Bro. James Dixon

In writing this reflection on prayer, I want to take a moment to establish a baseline definition of prayer that I will use to further expound on what I think prayer is and the purpose of prayer. According to Webster’s Dictionary, prayer is an address (such as a petition) to God in word or thought. Prayer is also seen as an earnest request or wish.

The Bible emphasizes prayer as vital communication with God, encouraging believers to pray consistently, with faith and according to God's will, seeking His guidance and strength. Prayer gives the believer an opportunity to express themselves to God in an honest, open and sincere form where the individual tells God all about what is on their mind, whether good or bad, and then allows God the opportunity to respond. I want to take this moment to interject that prayer is a two-way street; meaning the individual talks to God and then waits and allows God to talk back to the individual. That is called a dialogue, but most people consider prayer a monologue meaning, prayer is one-way; meaning the individual speaks to God and there is nothing coming back to the individual. In the world, that form of communication is called a monologue. A monologue is simply a long speech monopolizing conversation in which one person does all of the talking while the person(s) listens. We usually see this type of conversation in a comedy club or a late-night television host.

God is looking to have a relationship with his people. You cannot have a relationship using a monologue communication style. In order for an individual to get to know the other individual, both parties have to share information, thoughts, feelings and ideas between them. No married couple or a couple who share a significant other have become significant and certainly not married, in which the relationship was built on a one-way style of communication. In Genesis, the bible says that God would visit Adam in the cool of the day and they would have communication with each other; God talking to Adam and Adam talking back to God.

In John 1:1, the bible declares that in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. This is significant for the believer in order to have a closer relationship with God because you cannot know one without knowing the other. Prayer helps us draw closer to God and thus deepens our relationship with God through our faith in God. Prayer with God allows us to develop an intimate relationship with God. It is in our prayer closet, in our bathroom, in the basement, even in our car that we can connect to God and the power of the Holy Spirit can have visitation with us through prayer. God does his best work in the unseen then reveals it in the natural based on his divine timing. Our

faith in God is what motivates us to pray because our faith in God says that we believe that God can do all things but fail. If I have faith the size of a mustard seed and pray and seek God for direction and help in my storm, then I believe that he can do what only he can do and; therefore, through prayer I seek him and thank in advance for what I expect him to do on my behalf. There is no reason to engage in prayer if I do not believe he can help. The bible says in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” The text says that he that comes to God must believe, so that says that I have to have faith in God before I pray about my situation. Jesus threw the folks out of the house because of their disbelief.

I cannot connect with folk in prayer who do not believe. Thus, faith and prayer go hand in hand.

Here are just a few reasons that show the Importance and purpose of Prayer:

● Communication with God: Prayer is presented as a way to connect with God, to seek His guidance, and to express gratitude and needs.

● Seeking God's Will: The Bible encourages praying for God's will to be done, rather than our own, emphasizing aligning with His plan.

● Strengthening Faith: Regular prayer is seen as a way to strengthen faith and build a closer relationship with God.

● Receiving God's Blessings: The Bible suggests that God answers prayers and provides for those who seek Him through prayer.

● Overcoming Temptation: Prayer is presented as a tool to help believers resist temptation and remain steadfast in their faith.

● Intercession for Others: The Bible encourages praying for the needs of others, including family, friends, and those in authority.

Prayer not only demonstrates our faith in God, but it also demonstrates that we trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Prayer is a vehicle that we use to build our trust in God. The more we trust God, the more we are likely to engage in prayer. We can look over our lives and see how God has answered our prayers. When we turn over our issues, problems, even our triumphs over to God, then he steps in and provides answers and solutions to our concerns. We often say in the church that God is a prayer answering God. How, then, did we come to that conclusion? How did we come to the point that we can make that declaration? It is through the trials of life that we have come to trust God over the years to see us through, but not only that we can look back over our lives and observed our parents and grandparents, who didn’t have all of the

resources and luxuries and technology that we have today, but that they had a prayer and they have faith and God brought them out. In Hebrews 13:8, the bible says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Therefore, if he did it for momma and daddy, then the same God will do it again for me.

The older in the faith that we become, the more seasoned we become, the more our faith should grow. God, over the years, should have revealed himself enough to us that we don’t doubt but instead begin to pray because we know that God is able to do all things but fail. God has proven himself faithful and real in our lives that we know that there is power in our prayers and that prayer, in fact, changes things. Prayer still works. The bible that men ought to always pray. The more we pray, the more we demonstrate to God that trust and we have a willingness to give him our concerns, issues and questions. In addition, our desire to pray indicates the level of our relationship with God. The greater and deeper the relationship with God, the more apt we are to pray because we understand that what we need is greater than what we can handle. Prayer is so essential to our daily lives that it becomes our lifeline and a lifestyle of living that helps us navigate the ups and downs of life.

Hope is Built on Nothing Less Rev. Dr.

Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.

Dear God of grace, mercy, and miracles. There is a general sense of hopelessness resulting from so many deaths. This is a season of so many deaths. We have experienced the death of loved ones, friends, co-workers, and church members. Presently, we are experiencing the death of government programs that stabilized jobs, provided healthcare, the ability to purchase a home, funded tuition for children, and created a sense of an egalitarian community.

We have witnessed critical and influential institutions of American society, including the Federal Government, major corporations, financial institutions, the medical industry, large commercial airlines, law enforcement agencies, and institutions of higher education cause the death of the civil rights act of 1964. The death of the civil rights act has created national chaos sending people into the streets to protest. The death of civil rights denies, discredits, and disrespects the truth about the evils of two hundred fortysix years of slavery, one hundred years of Jim Crow laws, and cloaks the daily economic, political, and personal oppression that African Americans experience.

God, death always creates a sense of hopelessness and fear that life is full of swift transitions. The bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. God, we believe that when a believer dies, their physical body leaves this earth, but their spirit is immediately with God in heaven, expressing the hope of eternal life with God after death. This hope helped slaves cope with living in hell on earth and it is this hope that helps us with the hell that many are experiencing today.

God, we pray this hope for the civil rights of every American of color, every woman, and every immigrant. We pray for hope in the Lord to renew our strength to press on to freedom from oppression. We pray for hope to soar on wings like eagles. We pray and believe Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name: On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. Amen

Why Pray?

Bro. Michael Deloatch

Why pray? First and foremost, the Bible—often called Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth—teaches that believers should pray. Two well-known Bible verses affirm this truth:

• “Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6

That alone should be reason enough to pray. However, there are more reasons. Prayers have the power to change human events. It also provides comfort, whether you are rejoicing or facing difficulties. Most importantly, God, our Father, longs to communicate with each of His children.

So, pray! Take time to talk with Jesus and experience the peace that comes with it.

What’s Going On, God!

Sis. Cynthia Moses

God, you have our attention! The world is in turmoil, 2025 started out like a bolt of lightning. It began with the New Orleans terror attack, then several school shootings and the January administration changes. People are losing their jobs due to new administration directives. We also are facing white supremacy, political oppression, removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from companies, federal employees told to resign and being laid off, threats of closing down the Department of Education, planes crashing/falling out of the sky, California wildfires, several casualties, school bullying, immigrant deportation, young people not attending church; the list is endless, there is something new happening everyday to get our attention.

What’s Going On, God! God is Sovereign, knows all, is in control and has a plan, but we have to do our part:

• First, we need to get on board as God’s people, seek Him diligently and put him first in our lives and ask Him to forgive us for putting everything else in front of Him, the Creator of this Universe. We need to repent and pray to God just like Daniel prayed for Israel when they were in captivity (Daniel 9:4-19).

• Second, we cannot sit back and hope things turn out okay. Along with our prayers, we must take action, boycott and participate in nonviolence activities. God helped our ancestors and He can do it again for us.

• Third, for non-believers, there is no greater time than now to get right with God. In spite of our challenges, issues, trials and hardships, God is waiting for a closer relationship with Him! It is time, if you have not received the gift of Salvation, it is time, we do not know the day or hour when Jesus will come get his followers. Do not wait until it is too late!

As history repeats, we too shall overcome these challenges with God’s help. God has this under control, although it may seem like the world is falling apart at the moment.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, we exalt and thank You, because “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honor and power” (Revelation 4:11). You are a mighty and powerful God, whom we take refuge in times of troubles.

Lord God, we repent, forgive us and help us to be grateful for what we already have. We need you now, more than ever, give us grace and mercy and bring our people out of this season of desperation and despair. We pray for a change of heart for us and the

current Administration. Give us strength to fight back on political oppression and white supremacy.

We decree and declare justice and equity for all mankind. We have birthrights in these United States as citizens. We are somebody, because we are made in the image of God.

We pray for guidance and direction in our next steps. We claim God’s blessings in Jesus Name, Amen!

God Hear Our Prayers

Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr.

We wondered for a long time, how long it would be before our nation would rise up against the least of these, women, seniors, and people of color. We wondered how long it would take for the rich to cut the poor and disabled depending on Medicaid. We wondered how long it would take the government from borrowing against Social Security funds that potentially may impact millions of seniors. We wondered how long it would take before a massive government shutdown happens again causing the loss of income for Federal employees. God, hear our prayers.

And while we know that this great nation is engaged in rightsizing, God, please right size the right people. God, right size the right people who have served as janitors, executive assistants, clerks, accountants, air traffic controllers, police officers, firefighters, teachers, health care workers, social workers, postal workers, and every civil employee working daily to keep America great. We need an inner spiritual purging of elected officials and political appointees. God, we need to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in this nation. God, hear our prayers.

Let us burn from the fire of the Holy Spirit in our souls, hearts, and mind. Let us bow daily in prayer to rejoice evermore, to pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. Let us believe your Word God, that says if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. God, hear our prayers.

Oh, thou eternal God, thy alone knows what is in store for us. Thy alone knows this present peculiar painful moment is like a wet dark blanket suffocating us; but God we know that you watch over us, God we know that you never slumber nor sleep; and God, we know that we trust in you at all times and lean not to our own understanding. God, hear our prayers.

We are praying for righteousness and justice, freedom from bigotry, hatred, prejudice, pride, injustice and secret sins, which have covered our great nation. God, hear our prayers.

We are praying for those who have lost DEI jobs, for those who have lost their contracts, and for those who have been hurt by unreasonable tariffs. God, hear our prayers We are praying God, in this crucial hour, let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! In Jesus' name we ask all this, Amen.