Prayer to participate in the prayer day of the nation’s nationals
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“Pray continuously” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Read or listen to the following:
The Bible backs up Newcomb’s words. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “My people, who are called by my name, will be humbled, and pray, and turn from the evil path, and hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins and heal their land.”
Humility is essential when we pray for our nation. For if it were not, as proverb 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction, and has a haughty spirit before falling.” When the nation hums itself, we allow God to lift us up. Not by our efforts, but by God’s hand. 1 Peter 5:6 encourages, “Therefore, under the mighty hands of God, I humble that He will eventually lift you up.”
Similarly, James 4:10 states, “If you humble yourself before the Lord, he will lift you up.” In itself, a nation motivated by human arrogance and pride cannot stand on its own, as it is set to fall and bring about destruction. Isaiah 13:19 predicted the collapse of the nation, which was established with pride. “The pride and glory of Babylonians, the kingdom’s gem, and the Babylonians, are overthrown by God, like Sodom and Gomorrah.”
National prayers are part of American history
Praying for our nation and our leaders is important for America’s future. Throughout history, God has passed through prayers for our leaders and for our leaders. Proverbs 21:1 assures, “In the hands of the Lord, the heart of the king is the flow of water that is directed towards all whom he pleases him.”
Newcomb writes how General Washington felt that the possibility of victory was against them during the Revolutionary War. Therefore, on July 4, 1775, a year before independence he sent this order to the forces.
Prayer led by the American President
Over the years, various men have served as president of the United States. In the Prayer and President’s page, author and historian William J. Federer shares the history of prayer with our leaders.
Harry S. Truman, President 33, began National Prayer Day as Annual Observation in 1952, saying, “In an era of national crisis, where we strive to strengthen the foundations of peace… we need God’s support specially.”
President Richard M. Nixon also urged the public to pray for the astronauts of the Apollo 13, who were in crisis in April 1970. After their safe return, he set aside on Sunday, April 19, 1970 as a national day of prayer and Thanksgiving.
Through President Ronald Reagan, the first Thursday in May was established as the annual national prayer day for our nation, and “Americans of all generations have turned their eyes to makers in prayer… We have… acknowledged our dependence on Almighty God.” Since September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and hurricane Katrina, President 43rd George W. Bush declared prayer days.
Let’s pray:
Dear Father, we ask you to come humbly before you today, to soften the hearts of all the citizens of America, and they turn their backs against you from sin. Move with your Holy Spirit to today’s leaders, guide and direct their measures, walk in justice and take control. Give each one your sacred respect and a respectful fear of what will happen to the nations that opposed you. Free our nation from all pride and arrogance, we may walk humbly in your way and bring glory to your name. Lord, command your angels, and watch over our nation in all our ways, protect us, and protect us, and stop us from evil, and lead us to holiness for your name. In the name of Jesus, Amen
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/4Maksym
Lynette Kittle is married to four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships and life. Her writings have been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, Kirkcameron.com, ungrind.org, startmarriageright.com and more. She holds a Masters degree in Communications from Regent University and is an associate producer at Soul Check TV.
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