Called to Pray for America by the Staff of On The Go and the Presidential Prayer Team
The Staff at On The Go Ministries, the Presidential Prayer Team, and the National Day of Prayer Task Force would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the "National Day of Prayer"!
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14
Today is the day set aside as the National Day of Prayer across America. Prayer is a powerful weapon. Prayer can break through strongholds, which have stood firm for years. God wants His Children to become mighty, active prayer warriors!
The National Day of Prayer has a rich history, dating from the first declaration of a day of prayer and fasting that was implemented by George Washington to President Lincoln's call for prayer and fasting during the Civil War to the modern-day declaration signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1952.
Prayer is an opportunity to humbly come before God and confess all sins and to praise God for His mighty works, His gift of freedom, His mercy, and His boundless love. Through prayer, we recognize the limits of earthly power and acknowledge the sovereignty of God. Prayer leads to humility and a grateful heart, and it turns our minds to the needs of others.
As our nation looks to the future, the need for prayer remains high. This year the National Day of Prayer Task Force has chosen Seven Centers of Influence to help us stay focused and intentional as we pray for America.
Select Prayer Focus:
Use this list to guide and direct your prayer time. As you pray for the individuals listed, pray that they will be given godly wisdom and guidance, great strength and divine protection in the key positions they hold. Remember, especially, our troops who safeguard freedom overseas.
1. Pray for Government. Pray for our local, state, and national leaders asking God to grant them wisdom, discernment, and hearts that are open to His Leading. Pray for your elected officials, their spouses, and their children.
2. Pray for the Churches and Church Leaders throughout our nation and in your community. Ask God to preserve and protect them as He inspires and empowers them to equip His "Saints" for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Church, and the spreading of the Gospel.
3. Pray for our Military and its leaders. Pray for God to grant courage, protection, and strength for our service men and women, and their families as they serve our country.
4. Pray for families in our nation, your state, and your community. God's model for the family is being challenged, and we are seeing families fall apart before our very eyes. Pray with passion for the Lord to protect and to strengthen marriages, encourage parents toward His priorities, heal relationships, and secure His values in their homes.
5. Pray for Education. Pray for God's presence in our schools, colleges, and universities. Ask Him to select teachers and administrators who honor His statutes and protect our children, and inspire them to discover their God-given calling.
6. Pray for Media. Pray for Christian Influence in the media industry, from movies, television, and radio stations, to newspaper and magazine publishers. Ask the Lord to provide Godly men and women to work in, and influence the media throughout our nation, your state, and your city.
7. Pray for Business. Pray for Divine Intervention in our national, state, and local economies. Ask God to raise up godly business leaders and create industry to provide honest employment and generous provision for our individuals and families in each community.
Suggested Prayer for The National Day of Prayer
That is our prayer for America today. "Lord of the Universe. Lord of this planet. Lord of the nations. Lord of our hearts. On this National Day of Prayer, we look to You...In the darkness, You are our Light. In the storm, You are our Anchor. In our weakness, You are our Strength. In our grief, You are our Comfort. In our despair, You are our Hope. In our confusion, You are our Wisdom. In time of terrorism, You are our Shield. In time of war, You are our Peace. In times of uncertainty, You are the Rock on which we stand.
We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel: "O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You, and done wrong. We have turned away from Your commands and principles. We have turned away from You. Yet You have promised in 2 Chronicles 7, that if we-a people identified with You-would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You would hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land."
So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives. We choose to acknowledge our own sin-our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even rejection of You. This day we choose to repent. In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ, in keeping with all Your righteous acts and according to Your promise, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions offered to You on this National Day of Prayer, as we give You our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land. We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from Your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with You through His own blood shed on the Cross. Amen."
- 2014 National Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz, Honorary Chairperson 2014
Suggested Prayer Scriptures:
Use these scripture verses to set the tone for your observance of The National Day of Prayer.
"Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray--not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God." 1 Timothy 2:8
"I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving, be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives, in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior." I Timothy 2:1-3a
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." Colossians 4:2,3
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him" Nahum 1:7
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," Ephesians 3:20
Important Websites
National Day of Prayer: www.nationaldayofprayer.org.
The Presidential Prayer Team: www.presidentialprayerteam.org, www.commit2pray.com
How to Know God: www.needhim.org
Today's devotion was compiled in accompaniment with The Presidential Prayer Team and the National Day of Prayer Task Force. This resource may be copied and distributed without further permission. Prepared by The National Day of Prayer Task Force. In order to visit the article in entirety or join an online prayer group today, visit www.ndptf.org.
Thank you for taking the time to pray for America. Prayer is our most powerful weapon. For more information on any our ministries here at On The Go, you may send your questions to info@onthego.org.
On The Go Daily Devotion for May 1, 2014
Brought to you each day by On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Copyright (c) 2014 On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
Permission is granted to "forward" this devotional to friends and acquaintances. All other rights reserved.
On The Go Ministries / Keith Cook Team
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E-zine Editor, Laurie McTier, laurie@onthego.org
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