The National Day of Prayer, May 4, 2017 theme this year is For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us… Forgive Us…Heal Us! Taken from Daniel 9:19, which says, “O Lord, Listen! O Lord, Forgive! O Lord, Hear and Act! For Your Sake, O My God…”.

Scripture tells us again and again that our fervent prayer is effective. Our loving God responds to His children’s earnest pleas in mighty ways that avail much, and ultimately determine the course of history.

At this crucial time for our nation, we can do nothing more important than pray.
Let us pray corporately and individually over our families, government etc so that we can glorify God and heal the land and our families. Let us not take it for granted for the freedom to call out loud and worship the Lord freely.

The National Day of prayer focus is Government, Church, Military, Family, Education, Media, and Business. God is in control of this nation. Let us not take for granted this day of prayer, designated by Congress, signed into law by the President of the United States. Former President Obama signed the same  when he  was the leader of our nation as well as other Presidents. We should be praising and praying to the Lord for this nation every day in light of the freedom we enjoy and the present evils we observe  that threaten the peace of our nation and the community.

The apostle Paul urged that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-3). It is time for us to P. R. A. Y. as a nation corporately and individually. In this turbulent time of open racism, rumors of wars and aggression, and troubled communities and cites we need to go before the Lord to seek through prayer, “peaceful and quiet lives” – for ourselves, our families, our neighbors and friends and our nation.

Let us continue to pray for our nation in prayer gatherings and in our homes. God throughout His Word tells us to pray that He may heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Continue to pray for our nation as the “prayers of righteous persons are powerful and effective”. James 5:16. The sovereign Lord listens to our cries, waits to intervene on our behalf and to deliver and transform the ills of our nation. (See e.g. Zephaniah 3:17). I believe that prayer is required and imperative for believers individually, and corporately as a nation, to pray continually throughout the year, not just on the National Day of Prayer. There is a need for faithful, preserving intercession for our leaders, government, families, education system, the legal system, churches, the armed forces and the media. Our prayers will impact generations to come if we continue to seek the Lord’s guidance and protection and be obedient to His Word.
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Family
In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:3 (KJV)
If a house is divided against itself , that house cannot stand. Mark 3:25
• Pray for unity and love in family units that reaches out in hospitality toward others. Romans 12:9-13.
• Pray for God centered relationships among family members.
• Pray that parents will be bold to instruct their children in God’s way of living and lead their families to pray together.
• Pray for relationships between parents and children that it be one of love, respect, honor and obedience.
• Pray for a return to the biblical mandate to train children at home.
• Pray that families will follow godly principles.
• Pray for our youth –their safety, protection, obedience, purpose and excellence.
• Pray for families dismantled by divorce to be healed
.• Pray that Christ forgiveness would dissolve anger, bitterness and strife in relationships among family members.
• Pray for the family and for elected leaders and the members of our judicial system as they consider proposed legislation and various court cases related to marriage and the family to preserve what God intended.

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Government

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Timothy 2:1-2
• Pray for righteousness to prevail in this nation. Righteousness exalts a nation Proverbs 14:34.
• Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.1 Timothy 2:1-2.
• Pray that leaders will be granted divine wisdom, guidance and strength to fulfill their important roles; leaders to make wise decisions.
• Pray for righteous judges and judgments in every court (Isaiah 1:26).

 

Marketplace and Business
Exodus 31:3-4 (AMP)
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
To devise skillful works….
• Pray that business women and men of integrity, fairness and courage will arise .May God bless those who base business practices in righteousness.
• Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace that will have influence.
• Pray for the economy, that new companies will come to the region.
• Pray for sound and fair businesses, for favor, new contracts, witty ideas and creativity and for solutions to problems to help the community.
• Pray for the workplace- for fairness and fair pay and to be free of harassment and prejudice. May God frustrate plans and practices which escalate injustice.
Linda Fegins, “The Prayer Leader” ldfaygo@gmail.com

Military-Armed Forces : Psalm 5:11; Psalm 59:1

  • Pray for discernment and protection from the of the United States’ enemies that are among us, even as others plot against us from afar.
    • Pray for divine protection and guidance for our armed forces. Ask God to intercede for military chaplains and loved ones at home.
    • Pray for the courageous troops, and their families, who are actively serving our country each day ¬ not only at bases around the world, but also here within our borders. Our soldiers daily place themselves in harm’s way in order to defend the way of life we hold dear as well. ..
    • Pray for those who have lost a loved one in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price. Ask that God’s comfort would be upon them in a special way.

Media

  • Pray for truth and morality to be presented. Ephesians 4:29
    • Pray for the entertainment industry and their deliverance from vices such as materialism, promiscuity, substance abuse, and violence.
    • Pray for wholesome and truthful offerings and acceptable alternatives for families to replace the media’s often biased and immoral offerings.
    • Intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate.

Education

  • Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.
    • Pray for students who are trained in righteousness as well as sound educational curricula. II Timothy 3:16
    • Pray for our nation’s public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students.
    • Pray for our local school boards

 

Church

  • Pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming God’s Word. Ephesians 4:11-16
    • Pray for the Lord to provide pastors and spiritual leaders with strength and avenues of accountability so that they may maintain steadfastness in their vital callings.

Linda Fegins , The Prayer Leader ( April 2017)