This is a combination prayer / praise / thanksgiving, so my apologies if its not appropriately located.
I just finished posting in a thread where I complained about the constant denigration and shirking of the western church (or the church as we know it in the US, Canada, and Western Europe). Its something that weighs very heavily in my heart, and saddens me very deeply. But I shouldn't just complain about it... I should do something about it, shouldn't I?
So Lord God the Almighty, today I come to You in thanksgiving, praise, and supplication.
Lord, there was a man who posted here years ago, and I'm ashamed to have forgotten his name. He ministered passionately and without shame to the truly needy of Detroit. This man would preach in public without fear and for Your glory. Father this man is a member of Your church and an example that You still work here and have loyal servants. Lord bless and protect Your servant.
Lord, there are those in this forum who reached out to me at the peek of my folly. Those who helped me sweep up the shattered pieces of my life and set me back on the path toward You. There is a small army of people ready to lend support for those who come to this forum hat-in-hand. Lord for these loyal servants who help selflessly, secretly, and with no hope of favor for themselves I ask that You hear my prayer: bless and protect Your servants.
Lord, for the churches preaching Your word undiluted, for the churches committed to outreach and integrity, of which there are many, but who are constantly shamed by the reputations of others.... for those churches Lord I pray that they are not discouraged.
Lord, I thank You and praise you for the hearts of the missionaries still journeying out of the comfort and security of the west. Lord I praise You for the light You will spread through them.
Lord, though these servants rarely receive recognition, I praise You and thank you for those you have blessed financially. For your servants who have quietly and generously given, so that these missionaries can journey out, and so that buildings may be put up for your servants to come together... Lord bless and protect these servants.
Lord, for the countless number of guerrilla Christians battling against the selfishness and coldness of the modern world I give thanks. For those in the prison ministry, for those visiting shut ins, for those working at foodbanks even though it aggravates their arthritic hands, for those reaching out to their unsaved friends and co-workers in their despair. Lord bless and protect these servants.
Lord, Your servants in the Church of the US, Canada, and Western Europe are here for Your glory. There are loyal servants here Father as I'm sure You're well aware. Even as the world grows colder, and love gradually suffocates, may You continue to use these, Your loyal church, to be the salt and the light.
Bless and protect them Father. I pray this in humiliation as the very least of your servants. Bless and protect them and let them not be discouraged.
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The bible tells us to be generous in secrete so we don't see alot of posts about the work we do for God...and I think because its not out there sometimes for public view ...yet the bad things are...people get a slanted view of the church. So I thank you for 'seeing' these things and bringing them out in the open a little more. 
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