Thursday, May 5, 2011

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer, enacted by congress in 1952. I ran across the following ten reasons why we should pray, which were submitted by the Rev. Bill Schuler to Fox News. At the conclusion of this list, I have included the Prayer for our Country found in the Book of Common Prayer. Please join me in praying for our country and the world.
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1. Prayer reminds us that we are not the solution to the challenges that grip our world but we have access to the one who transcends those challenges.

2. A prayerless nation has no hope beyond the headlines.

3. Prayer aligns us with God’s heart, purposes and blessings.

4. Prayer is an act of humility that precedes honor.

5. Prayer enlarges the heart beyond selfish motive.

6. Prayer provokes the heart to consider not only what is but what can be with God’s help.

7. Prayer is best prioritized when one asks God to change one’s own heart first.

8. No matters of eternal value will be accomplished outside of prayer.

9. Prayer is properly prioritized vigilance in a spiritually passive world.

10. Prayer at its best is an offering of one’s self to be used by God as a part of the answer.

Prayer for our Country
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly ask that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought together out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among all the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

4 comments:

  1. thank you for the above posting. Dale and I often attended National Day of Prayer Services/Breakfasts while he was active duty.

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  2. Liked your sermon today. I especially thought the comment about Cleopas' companion was unnamed so we could substitute ourselves was interesting.

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  3. Ref: John 5:28-29: I have such a brain tug of war with the dead being in their graves waiting for the 2nd coming verses being in the house prepared right away.

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  4. Do you have a rendition of Solomon's Temple you could post?

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