PRAYERS FOR OUR NATION
By
Janet Grunst
“I exhort you
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
At
various times throughout our nation’s history, our leaders have called for days
or periods of fasting, humiliation and prayer. Even before the American
Revolution, the men who served in the Continental Congress were men of faith
and understood that the prosperity of a nation depended on its religious
vitality.
A “Day of
Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer” was called for June 1st,
1774 in Boston . On March 16th, 1776 a
broadside was distributed by Congress calling for a “Day of Humiliation, Fasting
and Prayer”, for citizens throughput the colonies to “confess and bewail our
manifold sins and transgressions, and by sincere repentance and amendment of
life, appease his (God’s) righteous displeasure and through merits and
mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness.”
Congress
continued to call for days of fasting and thanksgiving at least twice a year
throughout the Revolutionary War. They
understood that the prosperity of our new nation was dependent on God’s mercy. Congress
appointed chaplains for itself as well as for the various branches of the
military to provide for the spiritual support these bodies required.
Since
then there have been numerous occasions during turbulent times over the
centuries when national leaders and clergy would petition Americans to humble
themselves, repent, and seek God’s mercy to preserve and prosper our nation.
As we
approach our national election during this critical time in our country, please
pray for the following:
~ That
all Americans will become informed about the candidates and issues.
~ That all
eligible American voters will exercise their right and responsibility to vote.
~ That
nothing will impede the rights of the military and other Americans abroad to
have
their votes counted.
~ That
the media will be honest, and unbiased in their reporting.
~ That
the integrity of our electoral system will be preserved.
~ For God
to grant wisdom, discernment, integrity, and courage for our elected
representatives.
“If my people,
which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray, and
seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then I will
hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal
their land.”
2
Chronicles 7:14
Yes, thanks for sharing what happened long ago is still pertinant today, we need to be a praying nation and I hope that all will go to the polls and vote this year..
ReplyDeletePaula O
How interesting that while we need this post for our upcoming election we also REQUIRE this type of prayer as this hideous storm slams at us. As always, Janet, you've composed an excellent and though-provoking post. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI join you in this prayer, Janet. Thank you for lighting a fire under us and for reminding us of our nation's first intentions.
ReplyDeleteSo much is at stake in this election. We will not find a perfect human candidate, but if we remember who we are and Whose we are, it makes so many things clear. Most especially, we need to do just as this Scripture says, and humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from our wicked and self-determined ways. We know that He will hear us, but He's given such clear guidelines about what we're to do on our part first.
God bless you!
Thank you, Ladies, for your comments. Our nation has been blessed in so many ways. Over the years, many men and women have sacrificed and paid dearly to protect our freedoms. I believe we have an obligation to pray and continue the work to preserve the legacy they've left us.
ReplyDelete