A Call To Pray

The growing ground swell of concerned believers calling for prayer for our country caught my attention this week. I often feel like I am only one person and what can I do? After getting my friend’s invitation to join her in this prayer effort, I decided there is something I can do and it has strong biblical precedent.

The growing ground swell of concerned believers calling for prayer for our country caught my attention this week. I often feel like I am only one person and what can I do? After getting my friend’s invitation to join her in this prayer effort, I decided there is something I can do and it has strong biblical precedent.

Calling for a nation to pray is not a new idea.

 In II Chronicles 7 Solomon was admonished by God upon completion of the temple of the Lord to instruct God’s people –“ 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 I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” (7:14)

The Psalmists called for prayer for Jerusalem (122:6) revealing that God hears and answers (66:19-20). Luke records Jesus’s teaching to his disciples “that at all times they ought to pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)

The Apostle Paul in the New Testament repeatedly mentions the obligation believers have to pray for the ones in authority over them. I Timothy 2:1, “First of all, then,I urge that entreaties and prayers and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

And – “Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without wrath and dissension.” (I Tim. 2:8)

And – “with all prayer and petition at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

And – “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

So here it is – the obvious: Pray instead of having fits of anxiety; pray at all times; pray with thanksgiving without anger or dissension; pray for all people – for ones in authority over us, for Democrats, for Republicans, for people of other faiths, for moral righteousness, for peace, for God to be honored in our land, for His truth of saving grace to be known. Pray out of obedience to Christ.

We are to – “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2)

Because – “for the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (I Peter 3:12)

Will you join me in praying for our nation? Click on these web sites for further information:

www.40daysofprayer.net

Prayer guide
 
Presidential Prayer Team
 
America's National Prayer Committee