Thursday, May 2, 2013

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer, May 2. I would like to encourage you to pray today for our nation even though you may not be able to make a prayer service in your community. Here is the list to pray for:
1. Government: We must continue to pray that God protects our way of life, asking that He would embed men and women in office who are committed to serving their constituents with integrity. We must remain in prayer for our elections, beseeching God to prompt our fellow citizens to become involved in this process.
Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.
2. Military: As the heroic men and women in our armed services secure our liberty both at home and abroad, pray the Lord’s protection will go before them. In addition, lift up the chaplains stationed around the world, along with the Christian servicemen who unofficially fulfill a role of spiritual leadership. Ask that these believers would faithfully represent Christ among their comrades-in-arms.
Please don’t forget to pray also for those who have lost a loved one in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price, and we must ask that God’s comfort would be upon them in a special way.
3. Media: Ask the Lord to provide the television, radio and print mediums with staff members and executives who are committed to accuracy and integrity.
We must also remember to intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate. Pray that more of Hollywood’s celebrities will be worthy of our respect and admiration. And as you watch your favorite sport, ask the Lord to strengthen and embolden any Christians on the team or coaching staff. Nothing is too difficult for God ­ and though the industry often seems unprincipled, we know the Lord is able to use the media to accomplish His purposes.
4. Business: In recent years, greater numbers of large corporations are becoming characterized by deception, greed, and even fraudulent activity with godless principles and they are being vocal about their stance. In this climate, companies with strong biblical ethics are especially deserving of our recognition and patronage.
5. Schools: it’s especially critical that we pray for our nation’s public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students. In addition, let’s not forget to uphold our local school boards in prayer as they make decisions about the various curricula that are used across the country.
6. Church: Pray for the Lord to spark a revival throughout our nation, protect the witness of our pastors, and continue to sanctify and purify Christians around the world. We know that the spiritual condition of homes, communities and countries often points back to the believers within those regions. That being the case, it’s all the more important that we strive after righteousness, corporately as well as individually.
7. Family: Please pray for the family to be preserved as the Lord intended the marital union of one man and one woman devoted to each other and to raising the children in their home to be responsible, caring adults. Also keep in mind our elected leaders and the members of our judicial system as they consider proposed legislation and various court cases related to marriage and the family. This is one of the most crucial matters facing our nation, and it’s imperative that God’s people remain diligent in intercession for these concerns.

My prayer: May God receive glory today as Christians within this nation pray and intercede for these things that are critical in the environment in which we live. We pour our hearts out to you O Lord, to awaken this nation to its sin and repent and may you break my heart first so that I may surrender all unto you O Lord. Help me to be the salt and light you have called me to be in this dying world that is not my home. I serve You and You alone O Lord.....In Jesus Name, Amen!