By Joseph Ametepe
Joyous and Just Father, we celebrate You for the blessing of entering and experiencing life in the new month of October 2026. We acknowledge today, that You are the source of our life on earth. For it is You who “formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7; NASB). Indeed, we owe You a debt of gratitude for every breath we take on our sojourn on earth. We gladly and gratefully appreciate You, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6b; NASB) for Your gifts of “life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25b; NASB). Certainly, we remember experiencing and enjoying these gifts in September 2026 with its challenges and circumstances.
O Lord, we count it a great privilege
O Lord, we count it a great privilege to be under Your banner of love. Indeed, we are grateful that Your love for us is unchanging and unconditional! Unending and unfailing! Unrelenting and unwavering! It’s a love that always seeks Your very best for us, both in this life and in the life soon to come. O how precious and profound is the love with which You love us! Indeed, our words cannot fully express our heartfelt gratitude to You and our honest appreciation of You for Your unconditional and unfailing love for us! “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called the children of God; and such we are” (1 John 3:1; NASB).
Truly, we...are the most blessed people in the world
Truly, we, Your born-again believing children, are the most blessed people in the world. For Your word faithfully assures us that You have “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3b; NASB). Not only that, You promised to bless us materially when we obey You. Indeed, we will experience overflowing blessings when we walk in obedience to You! Your promise to Israel through Moses, before they crossed the River Jordan into the Promised Land, is a promise that is relevant to us today. “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2; NASB).
O Joyous and Just Father, we adore You
O Joyous and Just Father, we adore You for who You are. You are our God, “the only true God” (John 17:3; NASB). Our Maker and Master. Our Lover and Lord. Indeed, our King and Keeper. Our Savior and Sustainer. And yes, we appreciate You for all Your good and gracious intentions toward us. For ours is a life of being blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. As well, ours is a life of experiencing and enjoying Your overflowing blessings, when we walk in obedience to You. What a blessed assurance! What a blessed life You have planned for our lives here in earth!
O Lord, we must confess
But, O Lord, we must confess that we often fail to live in the fullness of the blessed life You’ve purposed for our lives. Indeed, we are the ones at fault in this matter. Instead of seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, we expend a great deal effort and energy in seeking material blessings. In fact, we compete with the people of the world in diligently seeking after the material riches of this world.
We have bought into the deception
Indeed, we have bought into the deception and lie that the more riches we have, the more blessed we are. In other words, we count our blessings in terms of the more material things we possess. As such, we’re never satisfied with what we already have. We choose to ignore our Lord’s clear and categorical statement that: “one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15b; ESV).
Joyous and Just Father, we acknowledge our sin to You
Joyous and Just Father, we acknowledge our sin to You. We have done wickedly. We have missed the mark. Indeed, we are guilty before You - in that, we focus on what’s less important and forget what’s most important in life. That is, seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness – with confident expectation that You will assuredly add all other things (see Matthew 6:33). Today, by Your Spirit, we choose to prioritize seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness with confident expectation that the less important things will be ours as well.
You are a trustworthy God
Since You are a trustworthy God – who always keeps Your word – we commit our cause to You in the new month of October 2026. You, O Lord, have brought us to the last quarter of the year 2026. Indeed, You have been good to us. You have been gracious to us. And yes, You have been generous to us - till this very day. Indeed, our words cannot fully express our gratitude and appreciation to You for all You’ve done and will do for us.
We pray
With glad and grateful hearts, we pray that, You, our God, will accomplish all that concerns our families, friends, and ourselves. Please, “God of Israel” (Exodus 5:1), bring about all Your beneficial and beautiful blessings for Israel – Your selected and set-apart people. Also, Lord and Leader of the Church, we ask that You carry out all Your cherished and compassionate counsels for Your Church – Your saved and sanctified believers. As well, “Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11; NASB), we humbly pray to You to deal patiently and purposely with Your world. A world made of all the nations and lands You created under the heavens.
Joyous and Just Father, we begin with Israel
As usual, Joyous and Just Father, we begin with Israel – Your beloved and blessed people. October 2026 is an important month in the life of Israel as a nation. Israel, a nation You Yourself established, will be having the 2026 Israeli legislative election. On October 27, 2026, Israelis will go to the polls to elect all 120 members of the 26th Knesset. This election will eventually determine whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues as Prime Minister or that one of his rivals will assume his position. As You know very well, a lot is as stake in this election. Israel’s political stability, security in the Middle East, and her sense of peace and prosperity, are at stake.
Your word says
Your word says: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33; NASB). It also teaches us that You are responsible for the removal of one ruler and raising up another (see Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 16:1). Indeed, You, O LORD, are in control of all the affairs of the nations. The psalmist testified: “Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3; NASB). Truly, “whatever the LORD pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps” (Psalm 135:6; NASB). Indeed, Your sovereignty rules over all (see Psalm 103:19).
Your sovereignty rules over all
Because Your sovereignty rules over all, we pray that Your hand will be upon the 2026 Israeli legislative election. "God of Israel" (Exodus 5:1), we ask that You will bring about Your beneficial and beautiful blessings for Israel through this legislative election. We pray that Your sovereignty will rule over this election – making it one of the best elections in Israel’s history as a nation. May Your peace prevail upon Israel throughout the election season until the final results are declared! Please, “God of Israel” (Exodus 5:1), protect Israel during this season. O Lord, we earnestly pray to You on behalf of Israel at this historic moment of her nationhood. Please topple and thwart all attempts by Israel’s enemies to disrupt, disturb, or dishonor the credibility of the election.
O Joyous and Just Father, the...election must be successful
O Joyous and Just Father, the 2026 Israeli legislative election must be successful for her political and economic progress. But of greater importance is Israel’s return to You, their LORD and their God. Your word says: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12; NASB). Truly, O LORD, through Your prophet, Moses; You made it clear to Israel that they are Your chosen people.
Moses set before them this precious truth
Before they crossed the Jordan River to the Promised Land, Moses set before them this precious truth. “You are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8; NASB).
But often Israel turns her back to You
Your choice of Israel to be a people for Your treasured possession, requires that Israel remains truly committed to You. But often, Israel turns her back to You, choosing to walk in her own ways. Israel forgot You and forsook Your ways. This is where Israel is today. They have forgotten You, the LORD their God, and forsaken Your ways. In the days of Your prophet Zechariah, You called Israel to repentance, that is, to return to You. “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Return to Me,’ declares the LORD of hosts, ‘that I may return to you,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 1:3; NASB).
Joyous and Just Father, we fervently pray
Therefore, Joyous and Just Father, we fervently pray that Israel will return to You, that You may return to them. Please, grant them the want-to to return to You with all their heart. O grant that they will return to You the LORD their God! For You are “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil” (Joel 2:13b; NASB).
Israel will be commemorating the October 7, 2023...terrorist attack
Also, on October 7, 2026, Israel will be commemorating the October 7, 2023 surprise terrorist attack on her land. This attack, led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas alongside other armed groups from the Gaza strip – resulted in approximately 1,195 deaths (mostly civilians). As well as, of thousands of injuries, and the abduction of around 250 hostages into Gaza. The wounds are still fresh for many. Therefore, we pray for Your comfort for all the affected families - Israelis and Palestinians.
We lift up Your Church to You
And now, Lord and Leader of the Church, we lift up Your Church to You. Thank You for saving and sanctifying sinners like myself – who make up Your Church. Indeed, eternity itself will not suffice for us to express our honest and hearty gratitude to You for Your salvation and sanctification of us. We did not deserve these blessings. Nor could we have earned them by our own efforts and exertions.
What shall I render to the LORD...?
The psalmist of old asked: “What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people” (Psalm 116:12-14; ESV). The question now is: What shall Your Church render to You for all Your many benefits and blessings to her? In other words, what should be our appropriate response for love like Yours, mercies so great, and so undeserved?
Joyous and Just Father, our...response...must be one of demonstrating spiritual hunger for You
Joyous and Just Father, our appropriate response, among many, must be one of demonstrating spiritual hunger for You. As the psalmist lifted up the cup of salvation, so Your Church today must hunger and thirst after Your righteousness. Our Lord Jesus taught in His Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6; ESV). So strong must be our desire for You. Hunger and thirst express the strong desire Your Church must have for You. Yes, we must hunger and thirst for You, for all Your benefits and blessings poured out upon us. As such, we earnestly pray for Your Church to demonstrate spiritual hunger for You in such a time as this.
You hate sin
As well, Your Church’s response for all the benefits and blessings You've bestowed on her, must be one of hating sin. You hate sin, and Your Church must, in reliance upon the Holy Spirit; hate sin. Not only did You hate sin, but You sent Jesus, our Lord, to save us from our sins (see Matthew 1:21). Your word speaks of sin as: “sin which clings so closely” (Hebrews 12:11b; ESV). Also, Your fatherly warning to Cain is relevant to us today. “If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7b; ESV).
Sin clings so easily and crouches at the door
Since sin clings so easily and crouches at the door, Your Church – made up of born-again believers must avoid it. Yes, they must shun it at all cost. They must not open the door for sin to rule and reign in their lives. In short, Your Church must not compromise with sin. They must develop a holy and healthy hatred for sin in their lives. To inculcate a holy and healthy hatred for sin in His true followers, our Lord Jesus made this profound pronouncement. “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut if off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell” (Matthew 5:29-30; ESV).
Joyous and Just Father...Your Church today, must hate sin
Therefore, Joyous and Just Father, in the light of our Lord’s radical teaching, Your Church today, must hate sin - an opportunist (See Romans 7:8, 11). Too often, Your Church has lived a compromised and comfortable life with regards to sin. This should not be our response for all the benefits and blessings You freely bestowed on us. Great and gracious are Your benefits and blessings of forgiveness of our many sins! As such, through the power of Your Holy Spirit, O Lord; enable Your Church to hate sin. Yes, to be hostile to sin! Help Your Church to actively fight sin and take the holiness of life with utter seriousness. In other words, we pray that we will “consider [ourselves] to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11; NASB). “How shall we who died to sin still live in it” (Romans 6:2; NASB)?
What shall I render to the Lord...?
“What shall I render to the Lord, for all his benefits to me?” The psalmist’s response includes lifting up the cup of thanksgiving to the Lord his God. But for believers today, our response should be one of holding our Lord in high esteem by focusing on what’s most important to You. Therefore, we earnestly pray to You, O Lord. May Your Spirit empower Your Church to diligently seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, with confident expectation that all other things will be added (see Matthew 6:33)! In other words, we fervently request that Your Church will set her mind on Your interests, not man’s (see Matthew 16:23b).
These are the ways in which we appreciate You
Indeed, these are ways in which we appreciate You for all the benefits and blessings You’ve graciously and generously bestowed on us. To hunger and thirst after righteousness. To hate sin. As well as hold You in high esteem by focusing or setting our minds on Your interests, not man’s.
Joyous and Just Father, You are the Lord of all the earth
And now, Joyous and Just Father, You are “the Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11; NASB). Indeed, Your dominion is from sea to sea, and from the River [that is, the Euphrates] to the ends of the earth (see Zechariah 9:10b). You rule over all the earth. No one, absolutely no one; can be compared to You in this regard. Certainly, You are in a distinguished class all by Yourself. Since You rule over all the earth, we now pray for the people of the world. That is, those who have not as yet expressed genuine faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sin.
O Lord...give...unbelievers, a hunger to hear Your word
Be pleased, O Lord, to give the people of the world, that is unbelievers, a hunger to hear Your word. In the days of Saul, later Paul; You gave Gentile unbelievers at Pisidian Antioch a great hunger to hear Your word. Their hunger to hear the word of the Lord, was such that they begged that the message they just heard, been retold to them on the next Sabbath (see Acts 13:42). On that Sabbath, “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:44; ESV). O what great hunger to hear the word of the Lord! O “Lord of all the earth,” (Joshua 3:11; NASB), grant the unbelievers of our day, such hunger for Your word. For You are “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8; ESV).
We pray
Also, we pray that You, O Lord, may grant unbelievers a humble heart to receive the word of God. This is important, because if Your word is not received in a humble heart, it will be rejected and repudiated. Therefore, please, O Lord, do a gracious work in their hearts to receive the word with all eagerness. O “Lord of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11; NASB), grant them also the desire to examine the Scriptures daily to see if the message they’ve heard is true and trustworthy. May they be like the Bereans (see Acts 17:11)!
Joyous and Just Father, we pray
As well, Joyous and Just Father, we pray that those who are without Jesus, will honestly turn to You. We beseech You, O Lord! Grant that they will turn from vain things to You, “a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them” (Acts 14:15b; ESV). Just as there was a “turning to God from among the Gentiles” (Acts 15:19; NASB), in the days of the apostles, so also, we pray that there’ll be a turning to You from among the unbelievers of our day. We pray earnestly that the people of the world “may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to [You], that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in [Jesus]” (Acts 26:18; NASB).
Joyous and Just Father, there is joy before Your angels
Joyous and Just Father, there is joy before Your angels over one sinner who repents (see Luke 15:10). Indeed, there is “more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7; ESV). Our desire in praying for those who are without Christ, is for them to turn to You. And as a result of their turning to You, heaven will be filled with everlasting joy.
O You who hear prayer
“O You who hear prayer, to You all men come” (Psalm 65:2; NASB). We have come to You. We have presented our petitions and prayers to You, on behalf of ourselves, Israel, Your Church and Your world. Be pleased, O Lord, “to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to [You] be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21; NASB).