Father, as we come before you this morning we rejoice together, as your body, in our knowledge of you as revealed in your Word and by your Spirit and in the power of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. May we be reminded today and every day that we are your children and have been commissioned by you to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that you have commanded doing so with the knowledge that you are with us always, to the end of the age. 

We live in a world that opposes you and all that we stand for in your name. As we seek to serve you by proclaiming the truth of your Word, we pray that you would sustain us and that your love would compel us to toil with zeal on your behalf and on behalf of those who have yet to come to know you as their Lord and Savior. May we not lose sight of the fact that those who die apart from Christ will most certainly face your eternal wrath. As we sang just now, defend us from cowardice and lethargy and give us boldness and wisdom as we interact with those you have sovereignly put in each of our lives. Give us a heart for those among us who are being held captive by the deception of this world. May we look upon them as our Lord did, with compassion, and recall that we too once wandered in the same darkness. 

Guard us from pride and arrogance as we seek to engage the world on your behalf. Remind us not be unnecessarily argumentative and angry over political and cultural matters, but be willing to set those aside for the sake of the saving truth of the gospel. We pray that we would make the most of opportunities that you give us to demonstrate the love of Christ and the peace that is only found in him. As your Word reminds us, we are to be the light of the world. A city set on a hill. And we are to let our light shine before others, so that they may see the good works you have done in us and give glory to you. 

We ask this morning on behalf of those you have yet to save that you would prepare their hearts to receive you as Lord and Savior. 

All this we ask this morning in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ-Amen