|
Monday, July 12
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1–5 ESV)
Our loving God, we thank you that you are the healer of our diseases. Whether healing comes through the hands of medical professionals, through our bodies’ own powers of renewal, or even through death which leads to eternal life, you are the source of all healing. We thank you that we may entrust ourselves to you, both body and soul. Lord, today we pray for the rapid development and distribution of vaccines for Covid-19. We pray that Taiwan’s own vaccines may quickly become available. We pray that Taiwan may also be able to purchase vaccines from abroad. And we pray that throughout the world, the process of vaccination may accelerate. Thank you for giving human beings the ability to create these vaccines. Please use them to save many lives.
We continue lifting up our prayers, especially for all those who work in the development, production, and distribution of vaccines.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|
|
Tuesday, July 13
“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:13–17 ESV)
Omnipotent Father, you have given governments the responsibility to protect society and promote human welfare. We thank you that we live in a society in which we may participate in the selection of those who will lead us and may also criticize them when we disagree with their actions. But we also remember that you have called us to pray for our leaders and to submit to them. We pray now for officials at every level of government in Taiwan, that they may have both wisdom and moral courage. We ask that they may do what is good and right in your eyes. We pray especially for President Tsai, that she may act in ways that are in accord with your will. We pray that you will give many of our officials the opportunity to hear your Word and respond to the gospel. We pray that you bless their health, their families, and their service to Taiwan.
We continue lifting up our prayers, especially for those in positions of authority in Taiwan.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|
|
Wednesday, July 14
“Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.” (Psalm 68:4–6 ESV)
Our tender-hearted God, we thank you today that you care for us individually. You know each of us by name. You have given us our personalities. You understand us better than we do ourselves. Lord, today we remember that at all times we may be surrounded by people who are lonely. Some of the lonely live alone; others live with others but are unable to share their inner struggles. Especially now, when the pandemic is forcing us to stay indoors, our feelings of loneliness may be multiplied. Remind us, Lord, that your church is to be a family. Move us to reach out to those who may be lonely or frightened. Give us compassion for the elderly, the sick, widows, orphans, and all others who need encouragement.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for those we know who may be lonely and troubled. We ask that you help us not only to pray, but also to act.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|
|
Thursday, July 15
“Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.” (Genesis 41:46–49 ESV)
God of grace and glory, you give human beings wisdom to deal with difficult circumstances. You gave Joseph a mind to know what should be done when Egypt faced famine. You gave David courage to face the giant who terrified the armies of Israel. You can also give wisdom to all of us to deal appropriately with the current pandemic. Today we pray especially for the faculty and staff of Tunghai University, who must adjust calendars and teaching plans to prepare for a semester when there may be no students on campus. This is a time that calls for creativity and hard work. Let it also be a time when our university leaders gain even greater clarity about their goals for the school and for their students’ education. Let Tunghai emerge from this challenge a stronger university than it was before. We pray especially for Christian faculty and staff members, that they may exhibit the peace and joy that can come only from you.
We continue to lift up our own prayers, especially for the staff and faculty members who attend our church and others whom we know personally:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|
|
Friday, July 16
“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” (Mark 10:13–16 ESV)
Eternal and unchanging God, you determined that we human beings should live in time. You ordained that we should be born, pass through infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and then continue developing through stages of adulthood. You have also commanded us to seek you while we are young, in order that we may spend our lives in your service. We pray today for the evangelization of the children and youth of Taiwan. So often, even children not raised in Christian homes are influenced by a Sunday school teacher, a camp leader, or a Christian teacher. Often, the seeds planted in their hearts when they are young later bloom into a mature faith in Jesus. Give wisdom and love to all who lead children’s and youth ministries in churches throughout Taiwan. Give Christians in every walk of life, but especially Christian teachers, a heart to share their faith with the next generation. Give Christian parents the ability to pass the baton of faith on to their own children. Our culture is filled with dangerous temptations for the young, but your Spirit is greater than these temptations. We ask you to raise up a whole new generation of Christians who will love you with a lifelong love.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for children and youth in our church and in our circle of acquaintances:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|
|
Saturday, July 17
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:19–25 ESV)
Our triune God, we cannot fully comprehend your nature, but we understand from Scripture that you are eternally Three in One. The Father, Son, and Spirit enjoy an eternal and perfect fellowship with one another. Because you are relational in your very nature, you have made us relational beings. We need to be with others. We need family and friends. We need Christian fellowship. We pray today for all the small groups and fellowships of our own church: the cell groups, student fellowships, and adult fellowships. We ask that as we gather in these groups, we may develop deep friendships. We ask that we may encourage others and be encouraged by them. We ask that together we may grow ever stronger in Christ. We pray also that you will move those who attend our church but are not yet in small groups to seek out the Christian fellowship they need.
We continue to lift up our own prayers, especially for the members of our own small groups or fellowships:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|
|
Sunday, July 18
Reading: Psalm 139
All-knowing God, as this day of worship and rest comes to an end, I rejoice that you have searched me and known me. You know the words that will come from my mouth even before I have chosen them. You know my thoughts, my anxieties, my hopes, my fears. I praise you that there is no place I can go where you are not. Even as I walk through the darkest valleys of my life, your hand leads me. You are my Creator. Although I was formed in my mother’s womb, it was you who made me the person I am. You gave me my body and my soul. You determined my personality and my abilities. You planned my life. Lord, I look forward to the day when evil will be removed from this earth and also from my soul. I ask that today you will again search my heart, show me my sins, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I continue to lift up my prayers for my own spiritual growth and renewal:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
|