By Joseph Ametepe
True and Trustworthy Father, we are so glad and grateful to You for bringing us into the new month of April 2024. In the past month (i.e. March 2024), we celebrated the greatest divine intervention in human history – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our hearts overflow with gladness and gratitude to You
Indeed, 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). Father, 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, glorified and victorious Lord and Savior!
We are not alive today because of our faithful exercise regimen
Indeed, 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). We are not alive today because of our faithful exercise regimen. Nor are we alive today because of our diligence in taking our supplements and medications. In fact, You are the One who “gives all people life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25b). Indeed, You, O LORD, have preserved our lives to this very day! Oh how we adore and appreciate You for Your loving care and preservation of us!
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!
Our Lord Jesus lives and rules with You
Because our Lord Jesus lives and rules with You, 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, that included the incredible and impossible divine work of raising Jesus from the dead on the third day (see 1 Corinthians 15:4).
Father, nothing is too hard for You
Truly, Father, 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 (see 1 Thessalonians 4:14). 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).
True and Trustworthy Father, You are a promise keeper
True and Trustworthy Father, because You are a promise keeper for whom nothing is too hard, we gladly and gratefully dedicate April 2024 to You. Please, accomplish what concerns our families, friends, fellow-believers and us! Also, “Holy One of Israel” (2 Kings 19:22), carry out Your divine purposes for the nation of Israel – Your special inheritance in April 2024! 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, in April 2024, bring to pass Your purpose 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 ward off Your hand or say to You, “What have You done?” (see Daniel 4:35).
We pray that Your Spirit will sustain our renewed love for You
After celebrating our Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection in March 2024, we pray that Your Spirit will sustain our renewed love for You. And that, He will strengthen our faith in You. Also, we pray that Your Holy Spirit will stir in us a fresh hunger for You Yourself. And that, He will enable us to seek You with all heart (see 2 Chronicles 7:14). Moreover, we pray that the Spirit will shine Your light on the path You want us to follow in April 2024. Furthermore, we ask that the Spirit will empower us to serve Your purpose in our generation, even as it was said of David (see Acts 13:36a).
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, we confess that we desperately need Your gracious intervention. Therefore, Father, graciously intervene to end “the Israel – Hamas” and “the Russian – Ukraine” wars; after accomplishing Your sovereign purpose for permitting them. For Your word confidently declares that You make wars to cease to the end of the earth (see Psalm 46:9a).
O Lord, You did it before in Nineveh
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 ways to You, the True and Trustworthy Father. For Your word says that You do not have any pleasure in the death of the wicked. But that he should turn from his ways and live (see Ezekiel 18:23).
We pray for the nation of Israel
In particular, we pray for the nation of Israel – Your chosen and cherished people. “O God of Israel” (1 Kings 8:26; Psalm 69:6), You alone can bring calm and peace to Your people. For they are presently experiencing a major war with Hamas, a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel. You specifically commanded us to: “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6)! As such, we know that You will not fail to accomplish what concerns Israel. Therefore, we are assured that despite the war that shows no sign of ending, Your purpose for Israel will prevail. For no one, no power, or nothing can thwart Your divine purpose for Israel, Your chosen and cherished people.
It's our earnest prayer that present Israel will turn to You again
“LORD God of Israel” (Exodus 32:27), it’s our earnest prayer that present Israel will turn to You again! Grant that by Your Spirit, they will trust in You again wholeheartedly (see Psalm 4:5)! Take You fully at Your word again! Thirst for You Yourself again (see Psalm 42:1)! Taste and see that the LORD is good again (Psalm 34:8)!
Father, 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).
We also admit that Your Church needs to be revived by You
Lover and leader of the Church, we also admit that, Your church needs to be revived by You. For revival comes from You. As the saints of old prayed in their days, so we pray today on behalf of Your Church. “Will You not Yourself revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You” (Psalm 85:6)? O Lord, revive us again and “renew our days as of old” (Lamentations 3:21b).
We admit that we do not know when Christ will return
True and Trustworthy 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 (see Acts 1:6-7), 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).
Lord of the Harvest, sustain and strengthen Your missionaries
Also, “Lord of the harvest” (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2), sustain and strengthen Your missionaries – who are on the frontlines of spreading the good news - all over the world. Supply all their needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:19). Shield them from the work of the evil one and evildoers. Save them out of the lion’s mouth (2 Timothy 4:17b). Stand with them when all desert them in their trials; even as You did it for Paul (see 2 Timothy 4:16-17a). In times of danger, surround them supernaturally with Your heavenly hosts even as You did it for the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6:17)!
We affirm that You are the true God
True and Trustworthy Father, we affirm that You are 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). We also admit that You answer our prayers that are according to Your will, at Your appointed time. Therefore, we present our petitions and prayers to You with eager expectation. We believe that You will answer them for Your glory and for our good at Your appointed time. And it is in Jesus’ precious and powerful name we pray. Amen!