Faithful and Forbearing Father, with glad and grateful hearts, we magnify You for bringing us into the new month of November 2023. Indeed, You have been so faithful to us in this year that’s drawing to a close. You have also been forbearing with us, forgiving us our many sins committed against You over many years of our lives. In fact, Your faithfulness and forbearance were on full display in our lives in October 2023, a month full of conflicts and crises.

Father, who is like unto You among the gods?

O Father, who is like unto You among the gods? We are delighted to declare that there is none like You among the gods. “There is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears” (2 Samuel 7:22; NASB). In fact, You Yourself authoritatively and assuredly declared: “Before Me there was no god formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me” (Isaiah 43:10b-11; NASB).

You alone are God

Again, You confidently asserted and affirmed that You alone are God. Saying: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me” (Isaiah 44:6b; NASB). As if these were not enough to establish and emphasize the truth that You alone are God, You asked the question of the ages. “Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock?” (Isaiah 44:8b; NASB). You Yourself chose to answer this question rather than call on Your people to answer it. Certainly, Your answer was conclusive and clear-cut. “I know of none” (Isaiah 44:8c; NASB).

You are in a distinguished class all by Yourself

Indeed, O Faithful and Forbearing Father, You are in a distinguished class all by Yourself. We extol You. We exalt You, for You are highly exalted (see Exodus 15:1). Yes, You are exalted in power (see Job 37:23). Truly, You are exalted far above all gods (see Psalms 97:9). Furthermore, You are in control of human history on earth. And You will assuredly bring it to an end exactly as You have predicted in Your word. You will not fail in this matter.

We turn to You and trust in You

As such, we turn to You and trust in You to direct us into Your purpose for the remainder of our days here on earth. Father, prepare us for the day of standing before You to give an account of our lives. In fact, the hymn writer, Charles Wesley’s words, vividly captures the need for believers’ preparedness for giving an account to You. “Arm me with jealous care, As in Thy sight to live; And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare, A strict account to give.”

For then we will make our way prosperous

Faithful Father, Your preparation of us to give an account to You, means that we redeem the time (see Ephesians 5:16). Furthermore, it means that we must understand what Your will is (see Ephesians 5:17b) and pursue and practice it. Thank You that Your will is revealed to us in Your Word – the Bible.  The most precious document You have given to mankind. We pray that Your Spirit will enable us to meditate on it daily and be careful to obey its instructions (see Joshua 1:8a). For then we will make our way prosperous, and then we will have good success (see Joshua 1:8b).

We commit the month of November 2023 to You

And now, O Faithful and Forbearing Father, we commit the month of November 2023 to You. In fact, You know all that will be happening in it before its first day even arrives. Yes, You know its end from its beginning. In other words, nothing that happens in it will be a surprise to You. As the all-knowing God, You not only know the future, but You also direct and control it toward Your predestined end.

Father, please accomplish what concerns our friends

Therefore, Father, please accomplish what concerns our friends, families, fellow-believers and us in November 2023. Also, “God of Israel” (Exodus 32:27), carry out Your desired purposes for the nation of Israel – Your chosen people in these trying and turbulent days of her existence.  Be pleased, O Lord and Leader of the Church, to perform Your divine plans for Your Church – Your consecrated people. Also, “Lord of all the earth,” please bring about all that You’ve planned and prepared for Your world. Made up of all the countries and coastlands You have created under the heavens.

We urgently lift up the nation of Israel to You

We urgently lift up the nation of Israel to You in our prayers, “O God of Israel” (1 Kings 8:26). On October 7, 2023 the AP reported this. “Under the cover of a barrage of rockets, dozens of Hamas militants broke out of the blockaded Gaza Strip and into nearby Israeli towns, killing hundreds and abducting others in an unprecedented surprise early morning attack during a major Jewish holiday Saturday. A stunned Israel said it is now at war with Hamas and launched airstrikes in Gaza, vowing to inflict “an unprecedented price.””

Hundreds of lives were lost on both sides

Faithful Father, hundreds of lives were lost on both sides on the first day of this war. Many more precious lives were lost after that. You are the giver of life. You do not have pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live (see Ezekiel 33:11). Therefore, we earnestly pray to You that the hearts of many in Israel who do not know You, will turn to You.

We pray for the cessation of the war

Also, we pray for the cessation of the war. For Your word says of You: “He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots” (Psalms 46:11; ESV). Also, grant the captives compassion in the sight of their captors (see 1 Kings 8:50) that they may not harm them, but release them. Father, should the war continue, please grant the leaders of Israel will seek Your wisdom in waging it successfully (see 1 Chronicles 14:8-17).

Forbearing Father, we pray for Your protection

Also, Forbearing Father, we pray for Your protection of civilians and innocent children caught up in this war. Be pleased, O Lord to preserve and protect the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). As well, for the many who have lost their loved ones, we ask that You comfort them. For You are the “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Above all, we pray that the Israelis and the Palestinians will come to know the life-changing truth of the gospel and be saved.

Lord of all the earth, we also earnestly pray for the people of the world

Now, “Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11), we also earnestly pray for the people of the world in these troubling and turbulent times. Our world is in turmoil. Russia and Ukraine are still at war. Canada and India are also locked up in a diplomatic tic for tat – expelling their diplomats from their posts. Also, Hamas, violently and viciously attacked Your chosen people, Israel; resulting in another war with Israel. But none of these events is a surprise to You. In fact, You knew of them even before they took place. Moreover, You also know that none of these events will hinder You from accomplishing Your divine purpose for the world.

Faithful Father,…grant that they will come to know You

Therefore, Faithful Father, we pray for the people of the world. Grant that they will come to know You and obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. For You will assuredly inflict vengeance on those who don’t know You and on those who don’t obey the gospel (see 2 Thessalonians 1:8). We pray that they will believe in Christ through the message of God’s messengers (see John 17:20). Grant also that they not refuse to love the truth so as to be saved (see 2 Thessalonians 2:10). Indeed, You are not wishing for any to perish, but that all should come to repentance (see 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, please Father, grant them repentance that leads to life (see Acts 11:18).

We also pray for Your Church

We also pray for Your Church. Because Your Church is dear to Your heart, our Lord Himself prayed for the Church (see John 17). In fact, He is still faithfully praying for the Church, seated at Your right hand (see Hebrews 7:25). Apostle Paul also fervently prayed for the Church in his letters to the first century churches (see Romans 16:25-27; 2 Corinthians 13:7; Ephesians 1:16-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-14; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:11-13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; 3:16; Philemon 1:6).  These prayers are examples for us to follow in praying for Your Church.

Lover of the Church, be pleased to revive her in these days

Therefore, Lord and Lover of the Church, be pleased to revive her in these days. For it is You Yourself who revive Your people that they may rejoice in You (see Psalms 85:6). Renew Your Church that she may be renewed in these last days (see Lamentations 5:21). Restore Your Church to her first love, for many have left their first love (see Revelation 2:4)!

We pray especially and earnestly for the Persecuted Church

And now, Faithful and Forbearing Father, we pray especially and earnestly for the Persecuted Church. That is, believers who are being persecuted for the sake of righteousness. We lift them up to You. Please remember them and act graciously on their behalf. In the midst of their persecution, reveal more of Yourself to them, even as You did for Paul (see Acts 18:9-11; 22:17-22; 23:11). Remind them of Your unconditional, undying, unending and unfailing love for them (see Jeremiah 31:3; Malachi 1:2; John 13:34; 15:9). Rescue them out of all the persecutions they are enduring (see 2 Timothy 3:11).

Grant that they may exult in You

Also, Faithful Father, by Your Spirit, grant that they may exult in You insofar as they share Christ’s sufferings (see 1 Peter 4:11). Please enable them to demonstrate steadfastness and faith in all their persecutions and in the afflictions that they are enduring (see 2 Thessalonians 1:4). Grant also that, they entrust their souls to You, a faithful Creator and do good, as they suffer according to God’s will (see 1 Peter 4:15)!  God of all grace, establish and strengthen them, after they have suffered a little while (see 1 Peter 5:10). Father, empower them by Your Spirit to pray for those who persecute them (see Matthew 5:44).  Click this link for more on “Praying for the Persecuted Church”.

O You who hear prayer

“O You who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come” (Psalms 65:2). We have come to You, Faithful and Forbearing Father. We have called upon You on behalf, Israel – Your chosen nation, Your Church, and Your world. Now, O Lord, we are confident that You will respond to our prayers according to Your will for the praise of Your glory! Indeed, “to [You] be glory, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1:25b; NASB)