Faithful and Forgiving Father, we gladly and gratefully thank You for bringing us into the month of August 2022. Indeed, we bless You for Your faithfulness and forgiveness of sins which You readily granted to us all throughout July 2022 until now. You are truly faithful to us. And You are always willing and ready to pardon our sins when we genuinely repent of them.

We are in need of Your forgiveness

Indeed, we are in need of Your forgiveness in August 2022. Like Israel of old, You know very well that we will mess up in August 2022. That’s just the truth. We confess it to You. It was written of Israel of old: “But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; they became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments. They refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You performed among them; so they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt” (Nehemiah 9:16-17a; NASB).

You are a God of forgiveness

“But You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; and You did not forsake them” (Nehemiah 9:17b; NASB). Father, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance?” (Micah 7:18a; ESV). Oh how wonderful to have such a forgiving Father! But Your word also taught us not to cheapen Your forgiveness. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Psalm 130:3-4; NASB).

We can bask in the glow of Your never-ending forgiveness

Indeed, Heavenly Father, we can bask in the glow of Your never-ending forgiveness! But we must do so with holy reverence for You. Oh that Your pardon of our iniquities may inculcate in us a reverent fear of You in August 2022! “Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11, 13; Psalm 97:5), we appreciate You. We adore You. Yes, we admire You for who You are – a faithful and forgiving Father!

Father, we overflow with gratitude to You

Therefore, Father, we overflow with gratitude to You. Thank You for always looking out for our best interest. We don’t deserve such grace. And yet, You willingly and wholeheartedly pour it out into our lives. We bless You that You are a God who does not retain Your anger forever. Rather, loving God, You delight in steadfast love (see Micah 7:18b).

You Lord, delight in steadfast love

Because, You Lord, delight in steadfast love; we confidently commit our way to You in August 2022. Indeed, You know all that will be occurring in it. You know its end from the very beginning. In fact, all that You personally and providentially ordained to take place in August 2022, will happen without fail.

Righteous Father, You will never fail

Since, Righteous Father, You will never fail to do what You have ordained in August 2022, we dedicate it to You. Please Father; accomplish what concerns our families, friends, fellow-believers and us. For You alone, O Lord, are committed to accomplishing what concerns us (see Psalm 138:8a).

Loving God, carry out Your good purposes

Also, Loving God, carry out Your good purposes for the nation of Israel – Your cherished and chosen people; and the Church – Your called out and consecrated people. In addition, fulfill all that You have purposed for Your world – made up of all the countries and lands You created under the heavens!

We are living in the last days

Indeed, “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9, 13, 22), we are living in “the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1). This is evident in the fact that people are becoming “lovers of self, lovers of money,…lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:2, 4b). Definitely, living in “the last days” is a great challenge for believers. As such, Father, we confess that we desperately need Your special and supernatural help, not only to survive but to thrive.

Gracious Father, we earnestly implore You

Therefore, gracious Father, we earnestly implore You; empower us by Your Spirit to love You with all our hearts! Lay hold of that for which also we were laid hold of by Christ Jesus (see Philippians 3:12b). Long for You Yourself! Look to You alone to be our all in all! Live for You in such a time as this! Learn daily from You and apply the lessons You teach us (see Philippians 4:9)! Listen obediently to You (see Isaiah 48:12)! Lament over our own sins and the sins of the world!

Father, enable us

Also, Father, enable us by Your indwelling Spirit to trust in the Lord (see Psalm 4:5; Jeremiah 17:7) in these challenging times! Treasure You above all else!  Take You at Your word for “Your word is truth” (John 17:17b)! Thirst for You Yourself (see Psalm 42:2)! Take Christ’s yoke upon us and learn from Him (Matthew 11:29a)! “Thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:6) in an era in which unrighteousness has reached new heights! Testify about Christ (see Acts 26:5), “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14)! Triumph in tragedy (see Luke 2:36-38) should You, Lord, permit it in our lives!

We know You can do all things

“Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11, 13; Psalm 97:5), we “know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2)! Therefore, we are convinced that no one will succeed in nullifying what You have purposed for our lives in August 2022. Most assuredly, You will accomplish what concerns Israel, Your Church, and the nations in August 2022!

We must take no rest for ourselves

Since it’s so, we must take no rest for ourselves; and give You no rest until You establish (see Isaiah 62:6b-7) Your divine purposes concerning us. Also, may knowing that none can hinder or hamper Your plan for us; spur us on to spread the gospel! Seek the lost with a fresh sense of urgency even as “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10)!

Father, Your words says

Finally, faithful Father, Your word says: “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16b; NASB). Therefore, we believe that the prayers we’ve offered to You, on the basis of Christ’s righteousness, will indeed accomplish much! Furthermore, we are encouraged by Your promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:24. “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass” (NASB).To You be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (see 2 Peter 3:18b)!