By Joseph Ametepe
Loving and “Living Father” (John 6:57), as we begin October 2021, we want to acknowledge that You are so kind to us. Indeed, You graciously and generously extend Your kindness and love to us even when we are not deserving of them. “Righteous Father” (John 17:25a), thank You for the riches of Your kindness and forbearance and patience (see Romans 2:4a) toward us. Like the father of the prodigal son, You are so ready to show us Your compassion and give us Your very best after we genuinely turn to You in true repentance (see Luke 15:11-24). How gracious You are! How giving You are! To You be “the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18b; NASB).
At the beginning of September 2021, we confidently affirmed that You are in control and are directing human history here on earth to its predicted end exactly as You have predicted in Your Word. You will not fail in this. On September 14-27, 2021, world leaders gathered for the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 76) in New York, USA. They made speeches and held special meetings. But these did not change Your plan and purpose for bringing human history to an end. You are still in charge, faithfully directing the course of human history.
In the light of this undeniable fact, we are glad and grateful to You for bringing us to October 2021. All that will happen in it, is known to You. In fact, every activity in it, the good and the evil, will all pass through Your providential hands. In other words, nothing that happens in October 2021 will be a surprise to You. We join David, the king and sweet psalmist of Israel, to affirm Your omniscience. “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:6; ESV). You are infinite in Your understanding. “O great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts, [You are] great in counsel and mighty in deed” (Jeremiah 32:18b-19a).
As such, “Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3b), You can be trusted to handle everything we will face in October 2021. “Holy Father” (John 17:11b), You are the One who will direct our steps in October 2021. Your word will be a lamp to our feet and a lamp to our path (see Psalm 119:105) in October 2021. O Lord our God, it’s You who will grant us our heart’s desire and fulfill our plans (see Psalm 20:4) that are according to Your will for our lives. It’s You, our King and Keeper, who have committed Yourself to defending us and delivering us from evil and from the evil one in October 2021. Yes, indeed, it’s You, O Precious Lord, who will be defeating all our foes in all our battles in October 2021. For the battle is not ours but Yours (see 2 Chronicles 20:15b).
Since the battle is not ours but Yours, we are so delighted and desirous to dedicate October 2021 to You in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Gracious Father, please, in Your faithfulness and favor, accomplish what concerns You Yourself, our families, our friends and fellow-believers, and us; Israel – Your chosen people; Your Church – that is, Your called-out ones, and Your world – made up of all the countries and the lands You created under the heavens – for the praise of Your mighty and marvelous name.
Since You, Merciful Father, are the One who will perform what concerns us, please lead us in Your truth (see Psalm 25:5). Lead us also in a level path (see Psalm 27:11) into Your purposes for our lives all throughout October 2021. Lord of glory, as You always do, look out for our best interests. Listen to our prayers that are according to Your will and answer them in Your time and way. Leave us not defenseless according to Your blessed promise to us in Psalm 141:8. “Abba Father” (Romans 8:15b), let us turn to You and trust in You, no matter what You permit to happen in our lives in October 2021.
Because You are our Abba Father, please enable us by Your Spirit, to listen obediently to You. Love You, the Lord our God, with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind (see Matthew 22:37). Long ever more for You even “as a deer pants for flowing streams” (Psalm 42:1a; ESV). Holy Spirit, our Helper, empower us to no longer live for ourselves but for Him who for our sake died and was raised (see 2 Corinthians 5:15), that is, Christ Jesus, our Lord. Lean not on our own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5) but lean on You. Learn to revere You all our days (see Deuteronomy 4:10). O Spirit of God; enable us also to lead those who do not know Christ to a saving relationship with Him.
Loving and Living Father, we admit to You that we are living in uncertain times. But like David, we affirm that our times are in Your hand (see Psalm 31:15a). As such, we are confident that You will do what is best for us in every circumstance and situation we encounter in October 2021 and beyond! You are our Rock. Yahweh, You are our “stronghold in the day of trouble” (Nahum 1:7b). Lord of all, we are thrilled and thankful that You are our our shield, our strength, and our salvation (see Psalm 18:1-2) in such a time as this!
We commit all these praises, prayers and petitions to You, Dear Lord, asking that Your Holy Spirit will sanctify each of them and “do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20; ESV). To You, O Lord, “be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21; ESV).