Did you know since 1952 the first Thursday of May was designated by unanimous action of Congress as the National Day of Prayer? Have you ever participated and spent time in prayer for the Nation on this day?
God calls all of us to be “Watchmen on the wall.”
“O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD.” Isaiah 62:6
You may be asking, “Where do I begin?”
Prayer begins with God. We begin with Praise and Adoration for who God is as He has revealed Himself in Christ and in the Scriptures. We begin here as an act of honor and reverence for a holy God.
“Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor.” (1 Chronicles 16:29 NLT)
How do I pray?
God desires for us to have a heart full of thanksgiving for every blessing from Heaven. Being thankful during the good times and the hard times is not easy but with God’s grace, we choose to be thankful with an obedient heart.
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.” (Psalm 118:1 NLT)
What is an important part of my prayer time?
The answer to this question is the confession of your sin. Sincere and explicit confession of our sin will reach the ear of God and pour his forgiveness down from heaven. Confession of sins will assure us of restoration with God.
“But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1John 1:9 NLT)
Who can I pray for?
During the National Day of Prayer, you are encouraged to be an intercessor (the believer acting as an intermediary between man and God) for your nation, state, city, and church. You can pray for the leadership by name and their job description. And Intercessor overlooks his or her own needs and prays for the needs of others.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” (1 Tim. 2:1 NLT)
Why even bother to pray?
Scripture teaches the Christian in the Old and New Testament to pray for others. As Christians, we have more than just a duty to pay taxes and obey the government. Christ-followers also have the responsibility to pray for their government leaders and anyone in authority over them.
“God changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” (Daniel 2:21 NIV)
The purpose of the believer’s prayer is to ask God for peace and guidance for the leadership to live right with Him so the people of the nation can do the same.
“Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1 Tim. 2:2 NLT)
Famous Quotes on Prayer to be encouraged by:
“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” Abraham Lincoln
“Those who always pray are necessary to those who never pray.” Victor Hugo
“God will do nothing but in answer to prayer.” John Wesley
“The force of prayer is greater than any possible combination of man-controlled powers, because prayer is man’s greatest means of trapping the infinite resources of God.” J. Edgar Hoover
“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil.” E.M. Bounds
May I encourage you to take time this Thursday and pray for our country? Remember God is not only concerned about the city, state and great nation but His heart is for the people who make up this nation. Let’s pray for the leaders and the people of our nation.
To find a prayer gathering for National Day of Prayer in your local area and resources go to www.nationaldayofprayer.org
