True and Trustworthy God, “Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2; NASB). “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11; ESV). Indeed, we declare that there is no one like You. You are in a distinguished class all by Yourself. We cannot thank You enough for Your faithfulness to us and forbearance with us over the years. Specifically, we thank You for showing us Your favor once again in granting us the privilege of entering the month of September 2021.

It had been both a delightful and difficult month

Indeed, at the beginning of August 2021, we entrusted our lives to You with glad and grateful hearts. Certainly, it had had been both a delightful and difficult month. We watched with delight the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as world and Olympic records were broken. But with broken hearts we witnessed the horror and hardship for millions, resulting from the overthrow of the Afghan government by the Taliban, after the withdrawal of the US troops in Afghanistan. But this is not a surprise to You at all. In fact, in all these, You are in control and are directing human history on earth to its predicted end exactly as You have revealed in Your Word of truth, the Bible.

You know the end from the beginning

In fact, in such a time as this, we are comforted that You know the end from the beginning and that You have spoken accurately and authoritatively of the future ahead of the mankind. You, our Lord Jesus, clearly, confidently and convincingly predicted what would be the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age (see Matthew 24:3b). “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:4b-6; ESV).

Nation will rise against nation

But that’s not all You revealed to us about the sign of Your coming and the end of the age. You also declared: “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:7-8; ESV). Clearly, what we are seeing in Afghanistan is just a small yet significant part of the beginning of birth pains. As such, we know that, sadly, things will get notably and remarkably worse as the end of the age fast approaches.

It is well with our soul

However, as believers in Jesus Christ, we can confidently say it is well with our soul. Why? We know that no matter what happens, whether things get worse or not in September 2021, You, our loving Lord, will care for us. You, the God of all comfort, will comfort us. Your compassion will abound upon our lives in September 2021, for You are a compassionate God (see Deuteronomy 4:31). Your concern for accomplishing what You, our faithful God, have purposed for our lives in September 2021 and beyond, will not waver or weakened.

We dedicate September 2021 to You

That is why, with jubilant and joyful hearts, we dedicate September 2021 to You in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Blessed Father, please, in Your great goodness and grace, accomplish what concerns our families, our friends and fellow-believers, and us; Israel – Your chosen nation; Your Church – that is, Your  called-out ones, and Your world – made up of all the nations and the lands You created under the heavens – for the praise of Your magnificent and matchless name.

You, O Lord, our God, are fully in control

Since we know You, O Lord, our God, are fully in control of human history on earth, we commit our cause to You. Righteous Father, we cast all our cares upon You, for Your word says, You care for us (see 1 Peter 5:7). We confess that we desperately need Your good hand upon our lives as it was upon men of God like Ezra and Nehemiah (see Nehemiah 2:8; Ezra 7:6, 28b; 8:22b). Cleanse and consecrate us for the service You have appointed for us in September 2021. Challenge us to get out of our comfort zone to share the good news with seekers and lost souls. Most importantly, change us more and more into the blessed image of Your Son and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father, correct us when we go astray

Also, “Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3b), please gently correct us when we go astray from your path, plan, and purpose for our lives in September 2021. Wonderful Counselor, counsel us with Your eye upon us (see Psalm 32:8b). Consider our groaning (see Psalm 5:1), in whatever distress You choose to allow in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones, Israel, Your Church, in Afghanistan and other nations – where conflict rages. Gracious Lord, “confirm the work of our hands” (Psalm 90:17b) in September 2021 and beyond. God of all grace and God of all comfort, in Your grace, who is “kind to ungrateful and evil men,” (Luke 6:35b), comfort all those who have lost loved ones in the conflict and chaos in Afghanistan.

Crush Satan under our feet

Above all, we pray that, You, “the God of peace, will soon crush Satan under our feet” in fulfillment of Your own promise to us in Romans 16:20.  Victorious Warrior, contend, O LORD, with those who contend who contend with us (see Psalm 35:1a). Confuse the plans of our enemies who are seeking our harm (see Psalm 144:6). Confound the strategy of our enemies (see Isaiah 19:3).

You do all things well

O Lord of all, You do all things well. We bless Your holy name. We love You, because You first loved us (see 1 John 4:19). Heavenly and Holy Father, we thank You so very much that You want Your very best for us in September 2021 and beyond! “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11; ESV). We pray all these in the precious and powerful name of Jesus! Amen!