Ohana Prayer 230 – Ecclesiastes 12
1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—
6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, and the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, and the wheel broken at the well,
7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.
12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Our Heavenly Father, the Supreme Creator of All Things. All power, glory, victory, and majesty are yours, our God. Jesus Christ, son of God, everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God's Son, and everything was made for him. Every knee will bow before you and every tongue will acknowledge that you are our Lord and the God that we love all our lives. Thank you for leading us every morning to pick up your manna. In meditation and research of the word and in deep thinking we experience changes in the way we think and incline to live a life of integrity, fairness, and honesty.
Lord Jesus, You reflect the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with your powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, you sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power. You always intercede on our behalf before the Father.
We spent our youth pursuing wealth and possessions, and in our old age we could only look back at the past that could no longer be changed. Help us to guard our hearts and minds so as not to succumb to evil and unrighteousness. Give spiritual wisdom to the young so that they can plan for their future by setting attainable goals; and to the older ones so they can cherish each given moment. Therefore, we do not lose heart at our old age. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. We can still light the lamp of prayer to illuminate the dark path for the next generation.
Thank you, Holy Spirit for not leaving us when we grieve you with our stubbornness. Your grace break through despite our resistance even though we are unhappy and feeling sad at the time. You hand on to us and coach us until we are able to produce the fruit of righteousness and peace.
In the face of the global surging pandemic, the uncertainties of the US election, we are all feeling unease and anxious. We implore the Holy Spirit to takes hold of us in our frailty and strengthen our hands that are weak and our knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for our feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Remind us to make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Thank you for letting us walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.