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Monday, August 9
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26–28 ESV)
Holy Creator, when you made human beings, you gave us dominion over the earth. You told us to multiply and fill it, and subdue it. We understand from this that you intended from the beginning that we should use the earth’s resources. It is good for us to build cities, develop science and technology, and produce music and literature. Even though we are fallen, this mandate to create culture remains. But Lord, we have found that we are also capable of harming the earth. We have driven many species to extinction. We have at times overfished the seas. We have polluted the water and the air. Today, we recognize that the earth’s climate is changing. It is likely that part of that change is the result of human activity. Please help the world to respond wisely to this change. Let the scientists grow in clarity about the causes of climate change. Let governments make wise decisions about energy production. Let individuals become more conscious of the impact of our own actions. Help us to be good and faithful stewards of the earth you have given to us.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for the issue of climate change:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Tuesday, August 10
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.’” (Isaiah 44:6–8 ESV)
God of all the earth, there is no one like you. You are the first and the last; besides you there is no god. We thank you for the great privilege of knowing you. We thank you that when we had fallen into sin, you sent your Son to redeem us. We thank you that we may trust in you and be free of fear. But Lord, all around us are people who worship other gods. Taiwan is full of temples. It is full of people who are seeking guidance, protection, wealth, or success, and who think they can find these things by worshipping the temple gods. But this is not true. You alone are God. Have mercy on the people around us who are trapped by false religions. Free their minds to know you and their hearts to receive you. Let the people of Taiwan turn to the one true God.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for people we know who are still worshiping idols:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Wednesday, August 11
“But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 1:17–23 ESV)
God of Truth, you want your people to be firm and strong in faith. You never change, and your promises never fail. You want us to respond to you with confident trust. Your goal is that we should “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:14 ESV) Instead, we are to grow up into Christ (Eph. 4:15). At the same time, you have also called us to have mercy on those who doubt. You know our frailty. Even Job wondered whether his suffering was compatible with your goodness. The authors of the Psalms often cried out, “How, long, O Lord?” Living in a world that is in rebellion against you, it is normal for us to experience doubts in our faith. We pray today for those who are struggling against doubt. They want to believe in your love, but they have difficulty seeing or feeling it. They want to believe in the deity of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the reality of heaven and hell; but at times these things seem to them like mere myths. Sustain their faith, O Lord. Let our church be filled with good teaching, so that people’s questions about you may find good answers. Let our church be filled with love, so that the truth of the gospel may be seen. Let our church be filled with faith.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for those who are suffering from doubt of God’s goodness or the truth of the gospel.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Thursday, August 12
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” (Romans 16:1–16 ESV)
Our God and Lord, you have called us to be members of Christ’s body. You have given to each of us gifts that we may use to build up the church. We thank you that each and every one of us has an important contribution to make to the life of the church. We ask you to help us to be faithful in using our gifts and doing the good works you have prepared for us. Today we pray especially for all the coworkers in our Chaplain’s Office: 柯牧師、柯師母、晏曉蘭、王惠尊、沈錦煌、馬麗芬、曾毓蘭、簡月屘、王瑋懿、朱詠箴、曾祖漢、王詠萱、陳怡伶。We thank you for the work each of them does, and also for the work they do together. We pray that each one may enjoy good health and a vibrant relationship with Christ. We pray that together, they may have great wisdom to direct the Chaplain’s Office ministries and assist in the work of the church. Give them joy as they serve you.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for the staff of the Chaplain’s Office:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Friday, August 13
“Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob’; ‘and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’” (Romans 11:25–27 ESV)
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we praise you for your wise plan for the salvation of the world. You chose Abraham and from him made a great nation. In the fullness of time, you sent your Son into the world. Through him, you are bringing salvation to people of all nations. We thank you that your salvation has reached even to us. Today we want to pray especially for the Jews. They are your original covenant people. They have a special place in your heart and play a unique role in salvation history. Although most are now in rebellion against you, you have not given them up. In your own time, you will bring millions of Jews to faith in Jesus. We pray that that day may come soon. Have mercy on the Jewish people, wherever they may be found. Protect them from those who would persecute them. Open their hearts to receive Jesus as their Messiah. Grant them eternal life.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for the Jews:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Saturday, August 14
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15 ESV)
Our compassionate God, this verse is short, but it is full of meaning and challenge. Your church can be compared to a school, in which we learn to follow Christ. It can be compared to an army, in which we learn to do spiritual warfare. But it can also be compared to a hospital, where we help one another recover from the wounds inflicted by our own sins and the sins of others. In the church, we need to rejoice with those who rejoice. We need your help to overcome our own selfish concerns, so that we can be genuinely happy about the blessings you have given to others. We also need to weep with those who weep. We need to learn to make the sorrows of other people our own sorrows, to sit patiently with them when they are in pain. We pray that you bless the caring ministry of our church. Let our fellowships and small groups be places of caring, places where we learn to minister to one another. Bless the prayer team that prays for individuals at the end of worship services; give them wisdom and love. Bless also the Caring Ministry Team that meets on Mondays: Pastor and Mrs. Clotfelter, Pastor and Mrs. Huang, Pastor and Mrs. Chiu, 王惠尊, 晏曉蘭. Give them wisdom to guide our whole church to become a more loving place.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for those who are engaged in caring for others:
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Sunday, August 15
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV)
Lord of Hosts, you are a God of peace, but also a God of war. You defend your people against the attacks of the Evil One; that is why we know that neither angels nor rulers can separate us from your love (Romans 8:38). You have ordained disaster for the devil and for all who follow him. You will not allow evil to exist forever; you will bring it to a final end. You have also called us to the work of spiritual warfare. We recognize that we are surrounded by invisible powers that hate you and hate us. We recognize that these powers wish to attack our health, undermine our marriages and families, sow discord in our church, and destroy our faith. Teach us to stand firm in Christ. Let us take up the full armor of God. Let us be filled with faith. Let us be faithful in prayer. Teach us to resist the devil, that he may flee from us.
We continue lifting up our own prayers, especially for our awareness of the reality of spiritual warfare and the importance of prayer.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
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