O God, our God, from the beginning of creation, you have revealed yourself as a God who desires to be known. You have revealed yourself in creation—your invisible attributes, your eternal power and divine power have been made known day after day  in all that you have made (Rom. 1:20). You have revealed yourself in providence—ordering all the affairs of our lives, where we would live and work and play and with whom we would do so, such that we would give you thanks and seek you (Acts 17:26-27). And, most wonderfully, you have revealed yourself in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the good news of the gospel. 

As we return to the busyness of fall, to the return of school, sports, and many church programs, we pray that you would order our lives again around the central priority of the gospel.

We pray for a deeper conviction of the exclusivity of the gospel. Whereas you have revealed yourself in creation and providence, sin’s corruption is so severe that no one can know you apart from the gospel. We are corrupted by sin and unable to clean themselves up from sin, all mankind is in need of the Savior. Indeed, “there is salvation in no one else” and “there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). May we be freshly convinced of the emptiness of every other religion and all earthly measurements. 

Let us see our friends and family as they truly are, apart from Christ: not successful or unsuccessful, beautiful or plain, but desperately in need of a Savior. 

We pray for a deeper conviction of the urgency of the gospel. The gospel makes clear that salvation is only found in Jesus Christ and calls all people to repent and turn (Acts 17:30). All who refuse to repent are storing up wrath (Rom. 2:5), that will be revealed from heaven for all who do not obey the gospel when Christ comes again (2 Thess. 1:7-8). The punishment will be eternal destruction and the only way to escape the wrath to come is through repenting now at the hearing of the gospel. May we be freshly convinced that the gospel is not only the most important message in all of history, but the only essential message. 

Let us remember the gospel and the urgency of inviting people to respond. Let us not become distracted by the cares of this life. While continuing to tend to the affairs of life, let us live as salt and light, ready to give a reason for the hope that is ours in Christ. Open doors to proclaim the gospel with our coworkers, classmates, family, and neighbors.

We pray for a deeper conviction of the sufficiency of the gospel. In a culture of fear and anxiety, busyness and distraction, let us be a people that rests in the gospel—in which we have been saved (Eph 2:8), are being saved (1 Cor. 1:18), and will be saved (Rom. 5:9). 

Let our lives be marked by peace, contentment, and joy. Let us work hard, but rest knowing you prepared all our works beforehand. Let us work out, but rest knowing you are working in for your good pleasure. 

Father, this is our mission together as Sovereign Grace churches. This is our mission in our individual communities. You are the Lord of the harvest. Thank you for placing us in our individual communities. Send out more laborers into the harvest, but continue to use us, O God. Deepen our convictions about the exclusivity, urgency, and sufficiency of the gospel, for the glory of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is heaven.

Amen.