By Joseph Ametepe
Gracious and Gentle Father, we are thankful that in Your grace and goodness, You have given us “life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25) in the new month of June 2022. Indeed, the Bible testifies repeatedly that You, Lord, are the giver of life (Ecclesiastes 5:18; 9:9; Isaiah 42:5b; 1 Timothy 6:13). Thank You Father, for seeing us through the difficult month of May 2022! We rejoice as well, knowing that You are in control of the affairs of all the nations.
Sovereign Lord, You are not at all perturbed
In fact, as the Sovereign and Supreme Lord of the universe, You are not at all perturbed by the rumbling of the nations (Isaiah 17:12-13). You are totally at peace. Indeed, Sovereign Lord, You are at work, directing human history on earth to its predicted end. In this new month of June 2022, we are confident that all that You intend to do in it will happen. Yes, what You have planned to do in June 2022 will stand (Isaiah 14:24).
Lord of hosts, no one can frustrate what You have planned
Indeed, LORD of hosts, no one, yes absolutely no one can frustrate what You have planned to do in June 2022 (Isaiah 14:27a). And no one can turn back Your stretched-out hand from accomplishing Your desire in June 2022 (Isaiah 14:27b). For what You intend happens. And what You plan will stand. Your plan cannot be frustrated. In other words, Your purpose for all of June 2022 cannot be foiled.
Merciful Father, we draw near to the throne of grace
As such, Merciful Father, we “draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We thank You Lord for Your mercy and grace. Your word declares that You: “are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15, ESV).
Loving Father, You are abounding in steadfast love
Since, You, Loving Father, are abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, we commit the month of June 2022 to You. We humbly ask that all that You intend for our personal lives in June 2022, our families, friends, and fellow believers, will come to pass. Also, we earnestly pray that all that You have planned for Israel - Your cherished nation, and Your Church - Your consecrated people, will stand. In addition, we beseech You Lord, to accomplish all that You have purposed for Your world – made up of all the countries and lands You have created under the heavens.
We will find grace to help in our time of need
Indeed, Gracious Lord, we have unshakable confidence that as we have come to Your throne of grace, we will find grace to help in our time of need. We confess to You Lord, that many are facing hardships in their lives. Relational hardships! Financial hardships! Spiritual hardships! Economic hardships! Financial hardships! Political hardships! Mental and psychological stress! These threaten to weaken our trust in You, Lord!
We do not want to weaken in faith
But, like Abraham, we do not want to weaken in faith, nor waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but grow strong in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:18-20). We, like Abraham, are fully assured that You, Loving Father, are able to perform what You have promised (Romans 4:21). Yes, we are convinced that You are more than able to do all that You intend for us in June 2022. You will not fail in this. Your plan for us in June 2022 will be faithfully and fully carried out. No one, will be able to thwart what You intend to accomplish for the nation of Israel, Your Church, and Your world in this month of June 2022.
No one will be successful in frustrating Your intended purposes
Because we are convinced that no one will be successful in frustrating Your intended purposes concerning us, please heavenly Father, draw us to Yourself! Deepen our love for You and our devotion to You, our God! Deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13) and keep us from the evil one (John 17:15)! Deal kindly and bountifully with us for Your name’s sake (Ruth 1:8b; Psalm 142:7)! Destroy the works of the devil against us (1 John 3:8b). Holy Father, demolish the strongholds of our archenemy who has come “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10)!
We often depend on our abilities
Loving Father, we confess to You that when facing challenges and crises in our lives, we often depend on our own abilities even as Judah did (Isaiah 22:8b-11a; 30:1-3; 31:1-3). This is a great insult to You. Why? It’s because You are the most reliable and dependable person in the entire universe. You delight in us when we depend completely on You in facing challenges of life. In fact, it gladdens Your heart when we trust fully in You in our crises.
Father, enable us by Your Holy Spirit
Therefore, Heavenly Father, enable us by Your Holy Spirit, to rely fully on You in all circumstances of life (Isaiah 22:11b)! Rest in You (Psalm 37:7), no matter the challenges we encounter in life! Run to You with all our problems! Remember that You always have our best interest at heart, no matter what we are going through in life! Remain faithful to You, our faithful Father, who Himself remains faithful, even if we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13)!
O Lord our God, empower us by Your good Spirit
In addition, we beseech You, O Lord our God, empower by Your good Spirit (Nehemiah 9:20; cf. Psalm 143:10) to revere You, for Your favor is upon those who revere You! Resist the devil and be able to stand firm in the evil day (Ephesians 6:13; cf. James 4:7)! Rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4:4)! Recognize afresh that Jesus’ coming is near (Matthew 24:33)! As such, Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2), endue us with Your divine power to reach out to the lost by sharing the gospel with them with a fresh sense of urgency!
God of all comfort, continue to comfort those who mourn
Indeed, so much had happened in the month of May 2022 that broke our hearts. The Russian-Ukraine war continues to destroy precious human lives on both sides. A reporter of Al-Jazeera was killed. Then also, the world was shocked with the brutal killing of 19 innocent elementary school children and two of their teachers at the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, in the State of Texas. We were further heartbroken when it was reported that the husband of one of the teachers died of heart attack. O "God of all comfort" (2 Corinthian 1:3b), continue to comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Heal their broken hearts. Hold them close to Your heart. Help them and be their helper in the difficult days ahead of them. Above all, may they find hope in Jesus Christ, "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27b)!
You are the One who performs all our works for us
O Lord, You are the One who performs for us all our works (Isaiah 26:12b). Indeed, You are the One who brings to pass what You have planned from ancient times (Isaiah 37:26a). Therefore, we count on You to perform all our works for us in June 2022. Also, please Father, bring to pass in June 2022, all that You have purposed concerning us for the praise of Your glory! We pray all these things in the blessed and beautiful name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Matthew 27:43) and the Savior of the world (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)! Amen!