Days to Pray

Days to Pray

Last week my blog post focused on our need to pray for our government leaders and specifically for the upcoming elections.

I also mentioned the moral downward spiral we seem to be caught up in and cited the famous quote by the Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville: “America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” 

Today, I want to suggest a helpful website titled, “Intercessors for America.”   It contains a wealth of information, including prayer alerts, event information, prayer groups to join, and more. 

One of my favorite features is the “30 Ways to Pray for People in Authority.”  It gives 30 different brief prayers, using scripture passages as a guide for each one. We can repeat these month after month.

For instance, prayers #9-11, go as follows: “9. That they value and regard the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ. (Psalm 19:7-11, John 8:31-32) 10. That they respect and honor their own parents if living. (Ephesians 6:2-3) 11. That they respect authority and practice accountability. (Romans 13:1-7)” 

If you (or your church) are interested in additional information about this guide and the other features, simply go to the web address and find the link for “30 Ways to Pray for People in Authority.” It’s located under, “Prayer Guides and Resources.” Here is the website: ”http://www.ifapray.org/ .

No matter what country you live in, you can certainly pray these prayers. We’re all instructed to pray for those in authority wherever we live. 

In an article titled, “Praying for Those in Authority is a Biblical Command,” Franklin Graham wrote, ”Should we not be diligently praying that God would give our president, Congress and military leaders wisdom? Our senators and governors and council members need our prayers—even if they are not the candidates we voted for. ... When the Scripture says that the ‘kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water’ (Proverbs 21:1), it means that a Sovereign God can turn the heart of a king at any time and in any way. If there are policies and platforms that don’t conform to biblical ethics, the intercession of Christians can be used in a powerful, transforming way.”*

We’ve heard it said that the US 2016 Presidential Election may be the most important ever. Here are some compelling reasons** to pray for the upcoming elections:

1. The Bible commands us to pray for those who are in leadership. This should certainly include those who are vying to become leaders.

2. Godly leaders can help slow the erosion of religious liberties in our land. This can provide an increased window of opportunity for the Church to pray and evangelize.

3. According to Scripture, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34, NASB). The selection of leaders who understand and lead according to God’s righteous standards can bring great blessing to a nation.

4. Scripture also says, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisors” (Proverbs 11:14, NIV). The determination of who leads our nation will also determine who advises that leader and how we are guided.   

We only have 89 more days to pray for Election 2016.

Let’s just do it! 

* https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/october-2014/praying-for-our-leaders/

** http://harvestprayer.com/resources/pray-for-america/2016-election-prayer-guide

 

©Connie Wohlford 2016

Only 99 More Days to PRAY!

Only 99 More Days to PRAY!

About 30 years ago in a discussion with a teacher colleague about an upcoming election, she commented that she was really not interested in politics or candidates and elections. I told her that I had not been very interested either until I realized that our elected officials affect every day of our lives, as well as the lives and futures of our children. She raised her eyebrows, tilted her head, said, “I guess that’s true,” and left my classroom.

I don’t understand the apathy, especially of Christians, when it comes to our political process. We’re so blessed to have a voice in all levels of our government and we must look heavenward for guidance in these matters.

Last Sunday our pastor mentioned that our nation’s presidential election was 99 days away. He then reminded the congregation of our weekly prayer gathering and encouraged people to come out and pray for our church family needs and other concerns. He went on to tell us that this week we’d begin to include focused prayer for our upcoming elections. Our pastoral staff does not promote a specific candidate but, as in all matters, want God’s will. 

We have a pretty small group of Wednesday night faithfuls gather together to intercede for the written prayer requests of those who attend our services. Hopefully even more will come out and ban together as we look to our Creator regarding the leadership of our nation. 

It makes me wonder how many Americans are fervently calling out to God, asking Him to intervene in this upcoming election. I wonder how many people watched the conventions—even that of the opposing party of their preference. I wonder how many people will be watching the upcoming debates, looking at the party platforms, and weighing the policy differences. 

I like to learn about the different candidates—what they stand for, and things they say. I’m no political guru, but I got pretty serious about my politics once I had the revelation described above. 

I know that many of us who trust Christ are justifiably concerned about the state of our nation and the direction in which it is heading. It’s obvious that many citizens of this great land do not hold to the moral code we value.

I’m reminded of a famous quote from a man who was not even a citizen of the United States. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French statesman, historian and social philosopher is said to have traveled to America in the 1830s searching out the reasons for its unusual success as a new nation. He was especially impressed by the religious character of her citizens. 

Here is a passage from his observations: 

“I sought for the key to the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.” -Alexis de Tocqueville

What does it take for a people to be good so their country can be great? 
The Apostle Peter gave very good guidelines on maintaining goodness and morality:
By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision for moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
So dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3-11).

Christianity is the companion of liberty in all its conflicts -- the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims.

 Alexis de Tocqueville

If we follow Peter’s guidelines we build up ourselves and build up our church fellowships (the body of Christ). We will in turn strengthen our country.

I’m sure we’re all tired of political rhetoric and in a few weeks our TVs will explode with political hoopla—even more so than now. Though interested in what’s going on, I have to turn it off and reset my psyche and turn my mind toward God and let my spirit rest in the Prince of Peace.

Let’s unite as the body of Christ and commit to praying for our nation and right now, especially for the election. I don’t know what God’s will is in this—but I know I want HIS WILL. <> AND, I want to do my part. Don’t you?

Have you heard about the “National Minute of Prayer”? You might want to check it out and get on board, committing to a one minute daily prayer for our nation.  http://minuteofprayer.blogspot.com/   

For my readers who live in other nations, much of this applies to you as well—though you may not have elections of leaders on your horizon. We all need to pray for leadership at all levels.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your comments are welcome. I would enjoy learning of other prayer events around the nation—large and small. 

More quotes from Alexis de Tocqueville: http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/cdf/onug/detocq.html

©Connie Wohlford 2016