By Joseph Ametepe
Living and Loving God, we are so glad and grateful to You for bringing us into the new month of April 2023. In this month, we celebrate the greatest divine intervention in human history – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We humbly and heartily acknowledge that in Your hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind (see Job 12:10). In fact, it is You who had granted us life and lovingkindness, and Your care had preserved our spirit (see Job 10:12) all throughout March 2023. Oh how we adore and appreciate You for Your loving care and preservation of us!
Our hearts overflow with gratitude to You
Indeed, Loving God, our hearts overflow with gladness and gratitude to You for stepping into human history through the coming of Jesus Christ. We thank You for His willingness to come to earth; to die on the Roman cruel cross for our sins. Your Word declares: “For the death he died, he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God” (Romans 6:10; ESV). Living God, we thank You also that Jesus didn’t remain in the grave after He died. He rose victoriously and lives to You. Oh yes, we serve a risen and victorious Lord and Savior!
Jesus our Lord, is now seated at Your right hand
In fact, “Father of glory” (Ephesians 1:17), Jesus our Lord, is now seated at Your right hand interceding for us (see Romans 8:34). Yes, our Lord, is indeed alive. Through His death, He destroyed “the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14)! Yes, our Lord Jesus is victorious over the devil. He has defeated the archenemy of God’s people. O how we thank You, Father, that Jesus lives and rules with You, both now and to the day of eternity!
Jesus lives and rules with You
Because our Lord Jesus lives and rules with You, loving God, we can take comfort in the fact that no purpose of Yours concerning us will be thwarted (see Job 42:2a). Yes, Lord, no one can successfully foil or frustrate Your divine plans formed for our lives. You will most assuredly accomplish what concerns us (see Psalm 138:8)! Behold, You are exalted in Your power (see Job 36:22a)! Therefore, we know You can do all things (see Job 42:2a). Yes, including the incredible and impossible divine work of raising Jesus from the dead on the third day.
Living God, nothing is too hard for You
Truly, living God, nothing is too hard for You (see Jeremiah 32:17). Because You raised Jesus from the dead, we can look forward to the glorious day of raising our bodies from the grave. Not only that, we are fully assured that You will keep Your promises to us. For You kept Your promise to our Lord Jesus that He would rise from the dead on the third day (see Mathew 17:23; 20:19; Luke 9:22; 18:33; 24:7, 46; Acts 10:40; 1 Corinthians 15:4).
Loving God,...You are a promise keeper
Loving God, because You are a promise keeper for whom nothing is too hard, we gladly and gratefully dedicate April 2023 to You. Please, accomplish what concerns our families, friends, fellow-believers and us! Also, Holy One of Israel, carry out Your divine purposes for the nation of Israel – Your special inheritance in April 2023! Also, O Lord and Lover of the Church, be pleased to perform what You’ve appointed for the Church – Your Spirit-indwelt believers.
Lord of all the earth, we earnestly beseech You
Furthermore, “Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11, 13), we earnestly beseech You. Please carry out Your will for Your world – made up of all the countries and lands You created under the heavens! Indeed, You are in control of all the affairs of the nations.
You, O Lord, rule over the nations
Truly, You, O Lord, rule over the nations (see Psalm 22:28). As such, none can hinder or hold up Your purposes (see Job 42:2). Indeed, You do according to Your will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. And none can stay Your hand or say to You, “What have You done?” (see Daniel 4:35).
Loving God, enable us by Your Spirit to exalt You
As we celebrate our Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection in April 2023, loving God, enable us by Your Spirit to exalt You (see Isaiah 25:1) above all others! Exult in You, the LORD (see 1 Samuel 2:1; Habakkuk 3:18) our God! Extol You (see Psalm 30:1; 145:1) for Your abundant goodness and grace poured out into our lives. Express great appreciation for Your selfless and sacrificial love for us. Experience afresh Your special and supernatural love which always seeks Your very best for us! Embrace Your love gratefully and express it gladly! Expect the move of Your Spirit to work in and through us, to advance Your kingdom purposes in such a time as this!
Father, empower by Your Holy Spirit
Also, Father, empower us by Your Holy Spirit to live for You, not for ourselves! Love You with all our heart and with all our soul, and with all our mind (see Matthew 22:37)! Long for You! Listen to Your still small voice directing us into Your path and plan for our lives in April 2023! Look to You, our Lord and our God, to make a way for us where there seems to be no way! Learn at the feet of Jesus, the Risen and Glorified Lord, in order to grow and become more like Him! And look for opportunities of leading unbelievers to a saving relationship with Christ in such a time as this!
Our world continues to be in a state of turmoil and unrest
As our world continues to be in a state of turmoil and unrest, loving God, we confess that we desperately need Your gracious intervention. Therefore, please, graciously intervene to end the Ukraine – Russian War; after accomplishing Your sovereign purpose for permitting it. For Your word confidently declares that You make wars to cease to the end of the earth (see Psalm 46:9a). Also, be pleased to turn the tide of ungodliness and wickedness in the nations in such a time as this! O Lord, You did it before in Nineveh through the preaching of Your runaway but repentant prophet Jonah (see Jonah 3). Grant that the nations of our day will turn from their wicked way to You.
We pray for the nation of Israel
In particular, we pray for the nation of Israel – Your chosen and cherished people. Father, You alone can bring calm and peace to Your people. For they are presently experiencing a major political unrest – brought about by the government’s judicial overhaul. You specifically commanded us to: “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6)! We know that You will not fail to accomplish what concerns Israel. Therefore, we are assured that despite the unrest that shows no sign of abating, Your purpose for Israel will prevail.
We acknowledge that Your Church needs Your gracious intervention
Also, Father, we acknowledge that Your Church needs Your gracious intervention in such a time as this. We have left our first love for You (see Revelation 2:4). Therefore, restore us to our first love of serving You out of a vibrant personal relationship with You. For You do not want our service to be a substitute for an intimate relationship with You. Therefore, we beseech You: “restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored” (Lamentations 3:21a). Lover and leader of the Church, we also admit that, Your church needs to be revived by You. For revival comes from You. Your word declares: “Will You not Yourself revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You” (Psalm 85:6)? O Lord, revive us again. Furthermore, living God, renew us. Yes, “renew our days as of old” (Lamentations 3:21b).
Father, we admit that we do not know when Christ will return
Gracious Father, we admit that we do not know when Christ will return. But we do know that He will certainly return on the day You alone know (see Matthew 24:36). Therefore, our preoccupation should not be knowing the time of His return, but keeping alert for His coming (see Matthew 24:42). Also, enable us by Your Spirit to share Your gospel with a fresh sense of urgency. Please Father, show mercy to unbelievers and open their hearts that they may receive Your word and be saved (see Acts 16:14). Also, sustain and strengthen Your missionaries – who are in the frontlines of spreading the good news - all over the world. Shield them from the work of the evil one and evildoers.
Loving God, we affirm that You are the true God
Loving and Living God, we affirm that You the true God who hears prayer (see Psalm 65:2) that is according to Your will. Also, we acknowledge that You are “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20; ESV). Therefore, we present our petitions and prayers to You with eager expectation that You will answer them for Your glory and for our good. And it is in Jesus’ precious and powerful name we pray. Amen!