A Prayer to Put together Our Hearts for Our Nation’s Nationwide Day of Prayer
By Lynette Kittle
“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into gentle. Along with your assist I can advance towards a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, His means is ideal: The Lord’s phrase is flawless” – 2 Samuel 22:29-31
Every year, our nation has been setting apart a Nationwide Day of Prayer to assemble and pray for our nation. It’s a time for our residents to collectively be a part of collectively in unity and pray as one voice earlier than God. Dr. Jerry Newcombe, Government Director of Windfall Discussion board, states, “The Nationwide Day of Prayer reminds us our nation wants all of the prayers it may possibly get—all yr spherical.” Likewise, nationally recognized speaker, best-selling creator, and president of Amerisearch, William J. Federer, explains, “As America faces challenges within the economic system from terrorism and pure disasters, one can achieve inspiring religion from leaders of the previous.”
America’s Historical past of Prayer
Prayer just isn’t new or uncommon for our nation. Even earlier than the USA of America was based, its future leaders knew the place to show and referred to as upon its individuals to wish. As Newcombe factors out, “Prayer was vital to George Washington. He had a pocket-sized version of the Anglican E book of Frequent Prayer, which he used on a regular basis. On quite a few events, he thanked God for His assist in our turning into an unbiased nation.”
Through the Revolutionary Warfare, Newcombe describes how “Washington felt that the chances had been so overwhelming that solely God might assist them win this contest. Talking of himself within the third individual, Normal George Washington delivered this order on July 4th, 1775—a yr earlier than independence—to his troops: ‘He requires and expects of all officers and troopers, not engaged in precise responsibility, a punctual attendance on Divine service, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our security and protection.’”
Extra Presidents Who Referred to as for Nationwide Days of Prayer
All through America’s historical past, our leaders have turned our nation to prayer. America’s 33rd President, Harry S. Truman, made the Nationwide Day of Prayer an annual observance in 1952, stating: “In instances of nationwide disaster once we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace…we stand in particular want of Divine help.”
Richard M. Nixon, our 37th President, referred to as our nation to prayer in April 1970 for Apollo 13 astronauts who had been in disaster. After their protected return, he referred to as for Sunday, April 19, 1970, as a Nationwide Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. On Could 5, 1988, our 40th President, Ronald Reagan, established the Nationwide Day of Prayer to be held annually on the primary Thursday in Could, saying: “Individuals in each era have turned to their Maker in prayer…We now have acknowledged…our dependence on Almighty God.” As properly, our 43rd President, George W. Bush, declared Days of Prayer after the September 11, 2001, terrorist assaults and Hurricane Katrina.
Why Pray?
1 Timothy 2:1-3 encourages us to wish for our nationwide leaders. “I urge, then, initially, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all individuals—for kings and all these in authority, that we might stay peaceable and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. That is good and pleases God our Savior, who desires all individuals to be saved and to come back to acknowledge the reality.” Newcombe notes how humility is essential to our praying for our nation, reminding us how God doesn’t favor satisfaction and vanity. Proverbs 16:18 explains how “Pleasure goes earlier than destruction, a haughty spirit earlier than a fall.”
Let’s Pray:
Expensive Father,
We come to you as a nation, asking for Your mercy. As Proverbs 28:13 explains, “Whoever conceals their sins doesn’t prosper, however the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Assist us, O Lord, as a rustic to humble ourselves earlier than You, as James 4:10 instructs us to do. “Humble yourselves earlier than the Lord, and He’ll raise you up.”
With repentant hearts, we come earlier than You for forgiveness. Look at our methods, Father, and assist us to return to You, as Lamentations 3:40 urges, “Allow us to look at our methods and check them, and allow us to return to the Lord.” Strengthen our leaders to withstand and reject the temptation of corruption. Give them new hearts, like Ezekiel 36:26 describes, “I will provide you with a brand new coronary heart and put a brand new spirit in you; I’ll take away from you your coronary heart of stone and offer you a coronary heart of flesh.”
Like 2 Chronicles 7:14 urges, lead our nationwide leaders and residents to Salvation in Jesus Christ. “If My individuals, who’re referred to as by My identify, will humble themselves and pray and search My face and switch from their depraved methods, then I’ll hear from heaven, and I’ll forgive their sin and can heal their land.”
In Jesus’ identify, Amen
Photograph credit score: ©Getty Pictures Signature,aroslavKryuchka and artpipi by way of Canva Professional
Lynette Kittle is married with 4 daughters. She enjoys writing about religion, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been revealed by Concentrate on the Household, Choice, In the present day’s Christian Girl, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and extra. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent College and serves as affiliate producer for Soul Examine TV.
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