National Day of Prayer

It is the first Thursday of May that is observed by our nation.  People around the United States of America are asked to spend time praying today for our nation, and I ask you to join me in taking extra time today to pray for our nation as well for critical places and people in need.  Further, I challenge you to pray for changes lives that will begin with you and me.

The history of America is rich with truth of how Christians played a significant role in the beginning of our country as well as with many of the great days experienced by our countryman.  What we all know is that all blessings are from God.

Proverbs 4:18  NLT

The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

Proverbs 21:21  NLT

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

For years people have talked about pursuing the so-called “American Dream”, yet that defining it is something very different.  You will most likely get as many different answers to what the “American Dream” is as to how many people you ask what they think.

I believe God has called us first to Himself and beyond to pursue righteous living.  It isn’t easy, but it really is right.  Jesus exemplified this life while He was on earth.  Many people call the Lord’s Prayer what we find in Matthew 6, yet I point more to John 17 being the true Lord’s prayer.

The John 17 Jesus prays for us.  He sets a direction that we must chase and a direction that our nation was pointed toward.  Something has changed.  Our leaders and even our homes turned away from the path that God placed in front of us.  I long for my family, our church and our community to pursue God more than we pursue anything else.  Living for the greater good of other people really is what Jesus did, and that is also what great Americans have done.

In the Lord’s Prayer of Matthew 6 there are some things Jesus tells us to remember:

Matthew 6:9-13  NASB

Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

On this “National Day of Prayer” make these things part of your prayers (as Jesus’ example to us):

Our Father…

Our prayers have to be pointed toward and sent to the only God, our God and Father!  He is holy above all else.

Your kingdom…

We must keep our mind set on what matters for eternity and that is God’s kingdom.

Our daily bread…

God is our provider.  We can trust Him in all things and through all situations.

Forgive us…

His nature is grace and forgiveness.  By following Jesus we take on His character of being gracious and forgiving others.

Yours is the kingdom and the power…

This prayer started with God and ends with God.  Shouldn’t everything in our lives be the same?  God began our lives as creator.  God sustains us daily.  And God has prepared eternity for us as well.

By taking some time to earnestly pray on this special day of prayer reminds us, our families and all close to us that we chose to stay connected to God.  It also reminds us that we are empty without God.  We really are blessed!  Spend extra time praying today.

James 5:16  NASB

… The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.