Father, we come to you in the name of Jesus this morning. We praise you for Who you are and what you have done, and what you will do. We rejoice in the good news of the gospel and look forward with a heavenly hope knowing that one day you restore us and all of creation back to the way it was always meant to be.

Holy Spirit, give us the grace to live with heaven in view. That we’d be so hopeful in spending eternity with Christ and all his people that we’d let go the need to condemningly judge others; that we’d not fight for our every personal preferences and tirelessly defend ourselves. Give us such a love for Christ that we’d give our money sacrificially and generously, that we’d eagerly disciple others that they might grow in their faith. Holy Spirit, compel us with the beautiful joys of heaven that we would zealously and winsomely share the gospel with our friends, families, co-workers and neighbors. Use us Lord, use Restoration Church to bring others to faith in Christ that they might taste and see that you, oh Lord, are good.

We pray the gospel would advance through the M family as they plant Iglesia Biblica Sublime Gracia in Columbia Heights. We pray the gospel advances through our brother H as he starts FCA. We pray the gospel advances through O & S as they start Campus Outreach at American University. We pray the gospel advances through our ministries at Friendship Terrace. We pray the gospel advances through our partnership with R and E in the Middle East. For the glory of your name in Christ Jesus, bring many to faith through our humble efforts.

We pray that you would use T2 to help us not just think more accurately but love more deeply. Help us love what you love and be motivated not by a sense of duty but of delight in Christ Jesus.

We pray for those who persecute and oppress your image bearers, whether they are Christians or non-Christians. We pray for the advancement of the gospel among ISIS, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Al-Shabaab, and Boko Haram. In scandalous grace, bring saving faith to the leaders and followers of these terrorist organizations. Father, in your sovereign glory, turn these men and women from persecuting the church to planting gospel churches. We pray for the North Korean government leaders and other evil leaders who savagely repress those under their control. In your kindness, bring these wicked leaders to repentance, that they themselves would be willing to suffer for the gospel. Whatever you do Lord, in the name of Jesus, we plead that you would restrain the evil these groups & governments are able to accomplish.

Thank you for your word. Use it to feed our souls this morning that we might love what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise.

And we pray together,

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom,

and the power and the glory

forever and ever. Amen.