A Nation that Prays

             Today is the National Day of Prayer, a day when Americans are encouraged to pray for our nation.  Historically, prayer has been a part of our nation since its birth.  In 1775, one year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Continental Congress declared the first national day of prayer and fasting.

            Twelve years later when the fledging nation seemed doomed for failure unless the leaders could come together to design a new type of nation, Benjamin Franklin rose to the floor of the Constitutional Convention and made this proposal:

“I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without [H]is notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without [H]is aid. …

I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business….”

            From that point on, prayer was given each morning and ultimately, the Constitution was born.  During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln declared a day of prayer and fasting, and in 1952, Congress established the National Day of Prayer.  

            As Christians, we don’t need a designated day to pray for our nation and its leaders.  The Scripture calls on us to offer “requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving …for everyone – for kings and all those in authority” (I Timothy 2: 1a NIV84). 

            So, the question is:  how should we be praying?

1.    Pray for repentance.  Sin has permeated every aspect of our society.  We need to stand boldly against it, but the first step is to repent of our part in allowing our nation to go down this slippery slope (II Chronicles 7: 14).

2.    Pray for wisdom for our leaders (James 1: 5).

3.    Pray for wisdom for the citizens of our nation as we elect new leaders in the coming months.  May we use sound judgment and discretion in casting our ballots (Proverbs 3: 21 – 23).

4.    Pray for those leaders who proclaim to be Christians that they will take brave stands for truth and righteousness and will not shirk their responsibility to God’s Word (Romans 1: 16).

5.    Pray for unity.  Our nation has not been this divided since the civil war.  Pray that we will calmly and rationally debate issues, seeking to find common ground.  Pray that we will put aside hatred and show love for our brothers and sisters.  A divided nation cannot stand (Mark 3: 25). 

Remember, that our hope is not in this nation.  Our hope is in God!  Remember also that God ordains every governing authority.  We have been blessed with a Democratic Republic that allows us to have a part in how that government functions.  Don’t take that role lightly.  This world may not be our ultimate home but while we are in it, we are called to be light in the midst of darkness.  That requires us to be people of PRAYER.  Prayer changes things!

II Chronicles 7: 14

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