Let us Pray

Today is National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman (Source: National Day of Prayer website).



Yesterday on the radio I heard that our President was not going to actually honor this day like the President before him. However, like some previous Presidents, he will be signing a proclamation. Say what you will about George W. Bush (who was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination), I'm inclined to believe history will brand him as one of our most moral God-fearing Presidents. Time will tell.


But what about you? Do you pray? When do you pray? Every hour? Every morning or night? Once a week at church? Or at meals? Or a family holiday meals like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter? Or is this the one day a year you pray because someone reminded you or pulled you to a prayer meeting?


This annual day of national prayer is important and I encourage everyone to join together and add the 2009 Prayer to your daily prayers today. Add the military to your prayers. Add national, state, and local leaders to your prayers. Add your church leaders and family to your prayers. But more important than all that - pray just to recognize the God of the Universe for who He is....LORD.


I was reminded this morning of another, shockingly relevant prayer:

"O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all thepeople of the land. Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame..."


This is the beginning of Daniel's prayer in Daniel Chapter 9. To read the rest of his prayer - go here. We should all be like Daniel and recognize our shame as a nation. And it's all our fault. Ours. But with submission to God through Jesus - transformation and TRUE change for the BEST can happen.


None of us are perfect. My prayer life is not at all what I want it to be - but it's up to me to change it. When I DO take the time to just be with God - it's incredible and I thirst for that.


Prayer is personal, prayer is powerful, prayer is necessary to a relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Spend time with the LORD GOD now.