Thoughts on the National Day of Prayer 2016

Next Thursday, May 5, 2016, is the day set aside for the 65^th annual National Day of Prayer.

According to their website, the task force for this day has chosen the theme Wake Up America.  The theme emphasizes the need for individuals, both corporately and individually, to return to the God of our Fathers in reverence for His Holy Name. To further highlight the theme, Isaiah 58:1a has been selected as the Scripture for this year:  “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.”

In speaking about this year’s National Day of Prayer, Dr. Tony Evans, the Honorary Chairman for the task force stated, “Chaos has taken control, and when God is dismissed from a culture that vacuum is filled by evil.  So it is incumbent upon God’s people through whom He has determined to express His presence to make contact with Him in unity on one accord.”

As I listened to Dr. Evans, the youth of this nation came to my mind –the grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, neighbors, students – from infant to teen, toddler to young adult — they are the ones growing up in this culture Dr. Evans is describing.

I was reminded of the verse in Ezekiel,

I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one (22:30 NASB).

Prayer is my job.

Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches!  Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!  Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street (Lamentations 2:19).

I pray, in part, because of the spiritual battle that rages all around us.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

As I pray for our nation next Thursday, I must pray for our children.  I must stand in the gap for them.

Will you join me in being intentional in this effort?

We have a week to prepare ourselves.

• Set aside some time. Mark it on your calendar.
• Invite at least one other person to join you. Perhaps set up a prayer group in your home or a mutually convenient location.
• Write out a list of who you will pray for. With a list in hand you won’t have the additional burden at prayer time of trying to remember all those you intended to pray for.
• Consider gathering some Scripture to pray. Praying Scripture assures us that we are praying in accordance with God’s will and provides us with specifics to pray.

Some Scripture to Pray

• Ephesians 1:15-19
• Ephesians 3:14-19
• Colossians 1:9-12
• Philippians 1:8-11
• Psalm 23, 37, 67, 91, 121
• Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren
• How to Pray for Your Children and Grandchildren
• What Should We Pray For?

God’s Word tells us –that prayer has great power:

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.     –James 5:16

Scripture also tells us –

that God not only hears our prayers, He is waiting – expectantly – for them.  “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear”  –Isaiah 65:24

AND

the Lord is attentive to the prayers of His children  –Psalm 18:6, 34:17, and 61:1-2

These are breath-taking promises!

Our prayers for the youth of this nation have power.  God will not only hear our prayers, He is waiting for them – expectantly.  He has promised to be attentive to these very prayers for the children of our country.

As the National Day of Prayer approaches, we are prompted us to consider:

The great need —

and

The breath-taking promises of God –

How can we sit idly by?

For those who might like this additional resource, here is a link to the  National Prayer by Dr. Tony Evans.