By Joseph Ametepe
Glorious and Generous Father, we are glad and grateful to You for ushering us into the new month of July 2026! Indeed, without Your gifts of “life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25; NASB), we will not exist on earth today. We sincerely thank You that You are the One “who gives breath to the people on [earth] and spirit to those who walk on it” (Isaiah 42:5b; NASB). Truly, we owe our existence on earth to You. For You are the source of our life.
Every breath we take is a great gift from You
Indeed, “If [You] should determine to do so, if [You] should gather to [Yourself Your] spirit and [Your] breath, all flesh would perish together, and man should return to dust” (Job 34:14-15; NASB). O how truly dependent we are on You, even for a second of our existence on earth! Every breath we take is a great gift from You. Therefore, O Father, grant that we will not, even for a second; take for granted Your great gift of life!
O LORD, please, forgive us
O LORD, please, forgive us for the many times we took for granted Your great gift of life! How can we not daily, moment by moment, appreciate You for bestowing on us “life and breath and all things?” We bless You for giving us “life and breath and all things” throughout June 2026 – to this first day of July 2026. As well, we thank You that “in Your book were written the days that were ordained for [us], when as yet there was not one of them” (Psalm 139:16b; NASB). Indeed, we give You the honor for all You’ve planned to do in our lives throughout all of July 2026 and beyond!
Glorious and Generous Father, You are indeed, the Lord of our life.
O Glorious and Generous Father, You are indeed, the Lord of our life! You give us life and guide us in life. You love us and lead us in life. Yes, You care for us and carry us as a father carries his son. You protect and preserve us in life. Surely, You strengthen and sustain us in life. You restore us in life and reveal Yourself to us. You defend and deliver us here on earth. Truly, there is no god on earth, like You, who is so invested and involved in our lives. Indeed, we cannot thank You enough for what You mean to us. You also delight in us and draw us to Yourself. You are altogether glorious and generous.
O Lord, we are incredibly blessed to have You, as our God
Indeed, O LORD, we are incredibly blessed to have You, as our God. Yes, the only wise God! The only true God! A God who has “plans for [our] welfare and not for calamity to give [us] a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11b; NASB). We are so grateful to You. Simply because You love us “with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3; NASB). You are committed to loving us freely (see Hosea 14:4; NASB). Because You love us so much, You want us to call upon You and pray to You. Yes, You want us to call upon You and pray to You with confident expectation that You will listen to us (see Jeremiah 29:12; NASB). Not only that, You promised us that when we seek You, we will find You (see Jeremiah 29:13a; NASB). Furthermore, You pledged to us that when we search for You with all our heart, You will be found by us (see Jeremiah 29:13b-14; NASB).
We are greatly encouraged
Also, we are greatly encouraged that You are the God who accomplishes the intent of Your heart (see Jeremiah 30:24; NASB). The intent of Your heart concerning us is so precious and so promising. The intent of Your heart for us include wanting us to experience and enjoy Your very best in this life and in the life soon to come. As well, it includes desiring for us to be with You in Your holy and glorious heavenly abode. Also, Your heart’s intent, which You are so desirous of accomplishing for us is to see Your face (see Revelation 22:4) in glory. Earlier, in the history of Your dealings with mankind, You told Moses: “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live” (Exodus 33:20; NASB)! But in Your great compassion and lovingkindness, the threat of death upon seeing Your face will no longer exist– giving us the blessed privilege of seeing Your face in all of eternity.
O Glorious and Generous Gather...we joyfully and jubilantly commit our cause to You
O Glorious and Generous Father, because You accomplish the intent of Your heart concerning us, we joyfully and jubilantly commit our cause to You. Yes, like the prophet Jeremiah did (see Jeremiah 20:12b), to You we have set forth our cause in the new month of July 2026. Please accomplish what concerns our families, friends, and us. King David was so confident in Your ability to accomplish what concerns him. As such, he declared: “The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting…” (Psalm 138:8a; NASB). Similarly, it is our confident expectation that You will accomplish what concerns us in the month of July 2026 and beyond!
God of Israel, bring to pass Your...bountiful blessings
Also, “God of Israel” (Exodus 5:1), please, bring to pass Your best and bountiful blessings for the nation of Israel – Your special and selected people. As well, Lover and Leader of the Church, carry out Your counsels and concerns for Your Church – Your saved and set-apart believers. In addition, “God of all flesh” (Jeremiah 32:27; NASB), discharge all Your desires and designs for Your world. A world made up of all the countries and coastlands You created and established under the heavens.
Your commitment to the nation of Israel is so special
Surely, “God of Israel” (Exodus 5:1), Your commitment to the nation of Israel is so special and so strong. We see Your special and strong commitment to Israel in Your words spoken through the prophet Jeremiah. “Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the LORD of hosts is His name: ‘If this fixed order departs from before Me, declares the LORD, then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever’” (Jeremiah 31:35-36; NASB).
Glorious and Generous Father, Israel will never cease to be a nation
Indeed, Glorious and Generous Father, Israel will never cease to be a nation before You, as long as the earth exists. Simply because no person or power or principality can change the fixed order You established in the skies. Of a truth, empires, kingdoms, and nations have come and gone. But Israel continues to be a nation before You. What lovingkindness, what goodness You have shown to Your people! We give You all the glory and honor for such stalwart and steadfast commitment to the nation of Israel till this very day.
I shall make mention of the lovingkindness of the LORD
Reflecting on Your past dealings with Israel, Isaiah the prophet could not help, but poured out his heart to You in gratitude. “I shall make mention of the lovingkindness of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses” (Isaiah 63:7; NASB).
The nation of Israel is so dear to Your heart
Since the nation of Israel is so dear to Your heart, we pray that Your hand will continue to be upon them. Especially, in such a time as this. Specifically, we pray that Israel will delight to know You in truth. Certainly, You are a God who is knowable. Through Jeremiah Your prophet, You made this declaration: “’for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:34b; NASB). While this promise stands true, Israel’s attempt to know You is found wanting. That is, they delight to know Your ways, but not in truth.
You made this shortcoming known to Israel
Through Your prophet Isaiah, You made this shortcoming known to Israel. “Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways as a nation that has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinances of their God” (Isaiah 58:2a; NASB). Since You are the God of truth, who knows the true motives of our hearts, You exposed Israel for not delighting to know Your ways in truth, despite seeking You daily. Therefore, we pray for a gracious work in the nation of Israel today – to delight to know Your ways in truth. That is, to know You – YAHWEH – their true God in truth.
Glorious and Generous Father, we pray
Also, Glorious and Generous Father, we pray that Israel will distinguish themselves as a nation that does righteousness. Your word says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34; NASB). Since righteousness exalts a nation, Your desire for Israel is to distinguish themselves as a nation that does righteousness. However, in the days of Isaiah (see Isaiah 58:2), Israel only pretended to be such a nation. But we pray that Israel of today will humbly and honestly distinguish themselves as a nation that does righteousness. We believe that if Israel does so, You will be so delighted to exalt them in keeping with Your word in Proverbs 14:34.
God of Israel, we also pray
“God of Israel” (Exodus 5:1), we also pray that Israel will delight in the nearness of God in all sincerity of heart. Through Your prophet Moses, You revealed to Israel Your special blessing of being near to them. “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? (Deuteronomy 4:7; NASB). Also, the blessedness of Your nearness to Israel is affirmed in testimony of Your psalmist. “And He has lifted up a horn for His people, praise for all His godly ones; even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him, praise the LORD” (Psalm 148:14; NASB). Your psalmist, Asaph, also gladly and gratefully declared the goodness of Your nearness to him. “But as for me the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of Your works” (Psalm 73:28; NASB).
Indeed...the nearness of God is a great and glorious blessing
Indeed, “God of Israel” (Exodus 5:1), the nearness of God is a great and glorious blessing. As such, Israel sought to delight in Your nearness to them. But, alas, they were not doing so in all sincerity of heart. As such, You made that known to them through Your prophet Isaiah. “Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways, as a nation that has done righteousness and has not forsaken the ordinances of their God. They ask Me for just decisions, they delight in the nearness of God.” (Isaiah 58:2; NASB). Since You know the hearts of men, You exposed the lie they were living. Israel said the right words, but they were not demonstrating them in their actions - in all sincerity of heart. Therefore, we pray that today’s Israel, knowing the great blessing of the nearness of God, will delight in it, in all sincerity of heart.
Glorious and Generous Father, we pray for Your Church
And now, Glorious and Generous Father, we pray for Your Church – that is, Your saved and set apart believers world-wide. Indeed, Your Church is facing challenging times today. Thankfully, this is not a surprise to You. For our Lord Jesus Himself spoke of this to His early disciples. “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b; NASB). Also, Your Spirit predicted this through Apostle Paul to the believers at Antioch. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22b; NASB). Because Your believing children are, and will face many tribulations, we pray that by Your Spirit; You will strengthen them to endure them.
We pray
We pray that especially for the believers who are suffering persecution in the nations today. They desperately need Your supernatural strengthening to be able to endure the challenging trials and troubles they’re facing. We thank You that You stood with and strengthened Paul in his trials (see 2 Timothy 4:17). Similarly, we pray that You’ll stand with and strengthen all believers who are facing challenging times today.
Your Church is in great need of Your divine insight
Also, Lord of the Church, Your Church is in great need of Your divine insight and perspective. For Your word says: “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b; NASB). Samuel, though a great prophet of God, failed to see things as You saw them during his visit to Bethlehem. If Samuel needed Your help to see things as You see them, so do Your Church today, desperately needs such help. Therefore, we earnestly pray that Your Spirit will enable Your Church to see things as You see them. In other words, show Your Church what You want to show her in order to gain divine insight (see Jeremiah 24:1b). Indeed, Your Church cannot do without this. To be an effective and excellent witness for You, she needs to see things just as You see them.
Lord, we confess that Your Church desperately needs Your guidance
Lord, we confess that Your Church desperately needs Your guidance and direction today. The Head of Your Church is the Lord Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18). He is also the Lover of the Church (see Ephesians 5:2). As such, Your Church needs to constantly seek His guidance and direction for the task He has entrusted to her. Your Church cannot do without Him. In fact, our Lord Himself authoritatively said to His early disciples: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5; NASB). Therefore, we fervently pray for Your Church today, to seek Your guidance and direction for the mission You committed to her. Save Your Church from taking matters into her own hands.
Glorious and Generous Father, we pray
Also, Glorious and Generous Father, we pray; send out laborers from Your Church into Your harvest. Speaking to His first disciples, our Lord Jesus said to them: “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest” (John 4:35b; NASB). Again, speaking to them about the theme of harvest, “He said to the disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest’” (Matthew 9:37-38; NASB). Since the fields are white for harvest and the harvest is plentiful, we beseech You, send out laborers into Your harvest. Please, Lord of the harvest, make us willing to be sent out into Your harvest after we’ve prayed. For the early disciples not only prayed for laborers to be sent out, but also they themselves were willing to be sent out (see Matthew 10).
God of all flesh, we pray
And now, “God of all flesh” (Jeremiah 32:27; NASB), we pray for Your world – that is, those who’ve not believed in Jesus Christ. We thank You that all who genuinely turn away from their sins to the Savior, are welcome by You. You cleanse, accept and make them a new creation in Christ Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Indeed, Your offer of salvation is for “whoever believes in [Jesus Christ]” (John 3:16). Your prophet Isaiah spoke of this in these words. “The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God” (Isaiah 52:10; NASB). We know that this promise of salvation will not fail. In fact, Your word reveals that Your salvation was not only seen but also shared in by people at the ends of the earth. We discover this in the Book of Revelation. “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9; NASB).
Glorious and Generous Father, Your word cannot fail
Glorious and Generous Father, Your word cannot fail or fall to the ground. Indeed, it will always be fulfilled. As such, we have confident assurance that Your gift of salvation is ready to be offered in all the nations. Yes, even today. Therefore, we call upon You on behalf of all those You’ve appointed to salvation in all the nations, to believe in Jesus. Please, Holy Spirit, convict them of their sin of unbelief. Touch their hearts to see their desperate need for Jesus in their lives. Turn them from their sins to their Savior Jesus Christ. Transform them into a new creation in Christ.
O Glorious and Generous Father, we thank You
O Glorious and Generous Father, we thank You for taking us through the first half of the year 2026. We appreciate You for Your care, concern and compassion - graciously shown to us through it. We are again counting on You to take us through the second half of the year 2026 and accomplish Your purpose for our lives. For without Your presence in our lives, life will not be worth living. Truly, it’s You who make life worth living.
We choose to love You You and look to You
Therefore, by Your Spirit, we choose to love You and look to You. Lean on and listen to You! Long for and learn from You! Thank You Glorious and Generous Father, for Your commitment to the nation of Israel. Because of Your commitment to Israel, they will never cease to be a nation before You, as long as the earth exists. Thank You also for Your calling upon Your Church today - to seek Your guidance and direction for the task You’ve entrusted to them. Also, we thank You for Your compassion for Your world – moving You to offer Your salvation to “whoever believes in Jesus Christ.” We pray all this in the blessed and beloved name of Jesus Christ! Your only begotten Son! Our blessed Savior! Amen!