Life is often affected by an ebb and flow pattern. There are high and low points along the way - times of conflict(s), hardship(s), challenge(s) – as well as times of triumph, prosperity, advances. In the midst of this pattern, there should also be a constant; a foundation; a value system that will enable one to survive any peak or valley situation or circumstance. A person’s being is complex - composed of body, soul and spirit – and the internal interaction as each needs to be satisfied. If there is no constant; no foundation; no value system – then frustration and despair become the overwhelming realities. What should be a constant, a foundation, a value system for our nation today? As we look at the horizon of our world, what should be our focus (or, Who should be our focus)? Tomorrow, May 7th, we will observe the 58th National Day of Prayer – a time when the attention and focus of the populace is to be on our Constant; our Foundation; our Value System – the Almighty and Eternal God. The theme for this year is “Prayer - America's Hope" and is based on the verse from PSALM 33:22 which states: “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Congress. In their eyes, our recently created nation and freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there was only one way to insure protection - through prayer. An example is seen as Great Britain came under steady and fierce attack during World War II, British and French troops were trapped by the German Army at Dunkirk. The situation was hopeless. It was May 1940. Hitler’s army had already invaded and conquered Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg and Belgium. The French Army, along with large numbers of English soldiers, bravely tried to stop the oncoming enemy army, but after 40 days of fighting, the Allied forces were completely routed. They retreated as far as the English Channel. The churches in Britain called for a day of prayer to be held on Sunday, May 26. On the evening of the National Day of Prayer, an order was issued for boats of all sizes and shapes to cross the English Channel and rescue as many men as possible. Naval ships couldn’t get close to the beaches for rescue, so small boats were critical in transporting men to the larger ships – or all the way to British shores. In all, 336,000 men were rescued with little boats and yachts alike…God responded to the prayers of His people and used imperfect people to affect the outcome of the rescue. And He can still do that today.
On the Eve of the D-Day Invasion, June 6, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called for this nation to unite in prayer. He also offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. In part, his prayer contained the words: “Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violence of war….Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee…"
Consider these things with me - - - It is not too late to implement II CHRONICLES 7:14 “…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” If You Care, You Will Observe A Day Of Prayer!
Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the Constitutional Congress. In their eyes, our recently created nation and freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there was only one way to insure protection - through prayer. An example is seen as Great Britain came under steady and fierce attack during World War II, British and French troops were trapped by the German Army at Dunkirk. The situation was hopeless. It was May 1940. Hitler’s army had already invaded and conquered Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg and Belgium. The French Army, along with large numbers of English soldiers, bravely tried to stop the oncoming enemy army, but after 40 days of fighting, the Allied forces were completely routed. They retreated as far as the English Channel. The churches in Britain called for a day of prayer to be held on Sunday, May 26. On the evening of the National Day of Prayer, an order was issued for boats of all sizes and shapes to cross the English Channel and rescue as many men as possible. Naval ships couldn’t get close to the beaches for rescue, so small boats were critical in transporting men to the larger ships – or all the way to British shores. In all, 336,000 men were rescued with little boats and yachts alike…God responded to the prayers of His people and used imperfect people to affect the outcome of the rescue. And He can still do that today.
On the Eve of the D-Day Invasion, June 6, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called for this nation to unite in prayer. He also offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. In part, his prayer contained the words: “Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph. They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violence of war….Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee…"
Consider these things with me - - - It is not too late to implement II CHRONICLES 7:14 “…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” If You Care, You Will Observe A Day Of Prayer!
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