Abba, You are the Lord of times and seasons, Ruler above all earthly powers. I come to You in humble petition this day for this world in which I live, torn apart by strife and in the grip of prideful fools who are only too ready to bring death and misery to millions for the sake of power and ego.

Rise up, O Lord, to defeat Evil so evident all around us. Spirit of God move to defeat the evil at work in “the world, (in which many are) obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”  (Ephesians 2)

Open the eyes of Your Church, the people who are called by Your Name, that they will not be duped by the words of boastful leaders. Forgive us for letting our love of prosperity and power keep us from remembering to love those who are weak, who are poor, who are without aid or comfort. Grant us discernment to sort through the schemes of the wicked and to seek Your wisdom above all else.

Jesus break our hearts so that we will understand Your great love and mercy. Teach us to show the same kind of grace that we have been shown. Call us again to share Your mission which You said was to love – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”  (Luke 4)

All this I ask in Your holy Name. Amen.