Ohana Prayer 229 – Ecclesiastes 11
1 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.
2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
3 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
6 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well
7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
8 However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all. But let them remember the days of darkness, for there will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
The God of the Universe, Ruler of All things, Our Father in Heaven. You are the most powerful and awesome judge. You examine our hearts and minds and know our thoughts. If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. The result of the election was not known on the election night. When we don’t have all the facts and don’t know the answer, help us to stay calm and pray, not to be alarmed, not to be affected by news we hear, not to be upset about things that we have no control over but to trust and wait for the final outcome. We firmly believe that whatever one sows, that will he also reap. May those who trust in you realize that even a small dead fly can make a whole bottle of perfume oil stink and those people would not allow that to happen. Therefore, don’t let our impatient folly shame the name of the Lord before the gentiles.
Lord Jesus, you did not come to this world to be served, but to serve, and to give your life as a ransom for many. You lived a life of humility and you were vigorously planting seeds of God’s love in our hearts. You invest in humanity by giving love, mercy, and forgiveness, and run the risk of incurring big losses. Even so, you still accept us, love us unconditionally, and hide us in the shadow of your wings. Our shield of faith is too weak to withstand the attacks of the wicked. Thank you, Lord, you use your body to shield us from all the flaming arrows. We firmly believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Grant us the ability not to be discouraged or lose heart but to do good to everyone when we have the opportunity. Every believer is a member of Christ and should be kind to one another, tenderhearted, encouraging one another, and committed to building up each other so that we are bound to each other and have no divisive differences among us. Let us bear witness to God through our church by demonstrating our trust and faith in the Lord, showing kindness to people in our community, and ultimately bring more people to Christ.
Holy Spirt, help us to do our best the work that God wants us to do regardless of circumstances. We entrust to your mighty hand things that we are not capable of doing. Give us strength to be diligent and unremitting that we may complete every task on hand. Help us to maintain the passion and humility in our hearts in serving the Lord and caring for people.
Loving Holy Spirit, have mercy on us, contain the virus and bring the pandemic under control. We lift up the healthcare workers around the world before you as they need your protection. They are on the front lines selflessly helping patients. May their families join us in prayer for their safety and may they find refuge under the shelter of God’s wings.
In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.