(1 Tim 2:1‑2) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Today is the National Day of Prayer. It is a time of national repentance and prayer for our great country. Here is some history about the National Day of Prayer:
1775 - The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer. 1863 - Abraham Lincoln called for such a day. 1952 - Congress established the NDP as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Truman. 1988 - The law was amended and signed by President Reagan, designating the NDP as the first Thursday in May.
In the Bible, we see the nation of Israel calling upon the Lord in times of great need:
- King Hezekiah, when the Assyrian’s came to conquer the land (2 Kings 18-19)
- King Jehoshaphat, when the people of Moab and Ammon came against Israel (2 Chronicles 20)
- Queen Esther calls for prayer when Haman the Agagite tried to exterminate the Jews (Esther 4:15-17).
Each time God graciously delivered His people. Even outside Israel, nations were able to call upon the Lord in repentance. Jonah preached to Nineveh and they repented at his message and the Lord relented from the disaster He said He would bring upon the people (Jonah 3).
President George W. Bush held a special National Day of Prayer just three days after the 9-11 terrorist attacks on our country. God honors prayer. We have risen from the ashes. Our economy has recovered, and America is back in business, even after the Great Recession, moral digression, and new political direction. That’s the mercy of God. It sure hasn’t been because of our ongoing repentance or moral uprightness. But now we have another opportunity to seek God on this National Day of Prayer.
Wherever you are today, say a prayer for our nation. Let’s claim the great promise of the Bible: (2 Chr 7:14) if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The greatest and most effective thing we can do for our country is pray. God loves America. Let’s fight for her on our knees!
(Psalm 144:15) Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!
Louie
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