Ohana Prayer 226 – Ecclesiastes 8
8 As no one has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has power over the time of their death.
As no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.
9 All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own hurt.
12 Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
13 Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
15 So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night—
17 then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.
Praise the Lord, the rich and glorious Jehovah, our Heavenly Father. You are sovereign over life and death. For You spoke, and it came into being; You commanded, and it came into existence. We rely on Your power to get through this time of darkness and pray that You would open our hearts to welcome a day full of life.
Forgive us of our ignorance as we arrogantly applying our minds to every deed that is done under the sun. We thought we could block out the sky with one hand, and control everything including our own destiny. We forgot to ask: who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measure or weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in the scales?
Praise Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. You are our great shepherd. When we are tired and exhausted You embrace us in Your arms where we find rest. When we feel weak and faint, unable to move forward, You guide us slowly to the high tower where we can hold onto the hope You give us and see the promising tomorrow.
We humbly bow before You and seek Your guidance. We look to Your life as an example of what we should strive for: to be gentle, kind and humble, full of peace, to be obedient to God’s word that we may become the children of peace. Let people see the light on our faces that show how bright and wonderful God is. Let us sow hope in times of despair, and light in darkness, to show empathy toward others, and to offer love more than wanting to be loved.
Holy Spirit, let us accept the election results with peaceful minds because without Your permission, no one can stand firm in the leadership position. Help churches to be united and diligent in upholding the truth of God’s word. In everything we do we shall not infringe on the Biblical truth and principles, and in making any decisions we should not violate the standard moral codes of behaviors and conducts. We shall make every effort to abide by the law and pray for those in power so that they can perform and complete the tasks that God entrusted to them.
Holy Spirit, ignite the spiritual fire in the hearts of each member of Christ at a time when life is tough and arduous from the ravaging pandemic and constant natural disasters. Help us come together with one heart and one mind, pray fervently and build an altar of revival for the Lord to send down the spiritual revival fire. We pray earnestly in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.