TO HONOR AND REMEMBER American SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, I WANT TO POST THE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLIMATION. 

        also AT THE END OF THIS POST IS A LINK TO president Reagan's SPEACH AT Normandy ON June 6, 1984, A FITTING MEMORIAL DAY REMINDER. 

Internet photo

gOD BLESS AMERICA! 

Proclamation on Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2020*

Issued on: May 21, 2020 

Since the first shots fired in the Revolutionary War, Americans have answered the call to duty and given their lives in service to our Nation and its sacred founding ideals.  As we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of these patriots on Memorial Day, we also remember that they sacrificed to create a better, more peaceful future for our Nation and the world.  We recommit to realizing that vision, honoring the service of so many who have placed love of country above all else.

As Americans, we will always defend our freedom and our liberty.  When those principles are threatened, we will respond with uncompromising force and unparalleled vigor.  Generation after generation, our country’s finest have defended our Republic with honor and distinction.  Memorials, monuments, and rows of white crosses and stars in places close to home like Arlington, Virginia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as well as far-flung battlefields in places like Flanders Field in Belgium and Busan in Korea, will forever memorialize their heroic actions, standing as solemn testaments to the price of freedom.  We will never take for granted the blood shed by these gallant men and women, as we are forever indebted to them and their families.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Allied victories over Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan in World War II.  As we commemorate these seminal events, we also remember the tremendous cost at which these victories came.  More than 400,000 souls of the Greatest Generation perished during this titanic struggle to liberate the world from tyranny.  In his address to the Nation on Japan’s surrender, President Truman’s words remind us all of our enduring obligation to these patriots for their sacrifice:  “It is our responsibility — ours the living — to see to it that this victory shall be a monument worthy of the dead who died to win it.”  As we pause to recall the lives lost from the ranks of our Armed Forces, we remain eternally grateful for the path they paved toward a world made freer from oppression.

Our fallen warriors gave their last breath for our country and our freedom.  Today, let us pause in quiet reverence to reflect on the incredible dedication of these valiant men and women and their families, invoking divine Providence as we continue pursuing our noble goal of lasting peace for the world.

In honor and recognition of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer.  The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer.

I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I also request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that, on Memorial Day, the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control.  I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP 

* https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-prayer-peace-memorial-day-2020/ 

President Reagan's Address at the Ceremony Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, D-day at Point-du-Hoc - 6/6/84. https://youtu.be/eEIqdcHbc8I

from The Reagan Foundation, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

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