day of prayer

"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14

today is the national day of prayer!! don't forget to pray!! my aunt sent me this sort of 'guide to praying' and i thought i'd share it with you all!! (please take the time to read through the whole thing!! it's very good!)


2007 Prayer for Our Nation

Written by Dr. Charles R. Swindoll


Almighty God, we pause to reflect on Your character as we seek wisdom for such a time as this.

In these unsafe days,
You remain all-powerful and able to protect;

In these uncertain times,
You remain all-knowing, leading us aright;

In the unprecedented events we're facing,
You remain absolutely sovereign.
Our times are in Your hands.

Therefore, our dependence on You, is total, not partial
. . . our need for Your forgiveness is constant

. . . our gratitude for Your grace is profound

. . . our love for You is deep.

We ask that You guard and guide our President
and all who serve the people of these United States.
May uncompromising integrity mark their lives.

We also ask that You unite us as truly "one nation,
under God." May genuine humility return to our ranks.

And may that blend of integrity and humility
heal our land.

In our Lord's name we pray, Amen



The following statement, sometimes attributed to an 18th century professor at the University of Edinburgh, has often been incorporated into speeches by political leaders and statesmen:

“ A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years.
Great nations rise and fall. The people go from bondage to spiritual truth, to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency, from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependence, from dependence back again to bondage. ”

This sentiment holds great significance for America in the 21st century. Two hundred and thirty years have passed since our forefathers crafted a Constitution guaranteeing us the freedoms and benefits of a democratic society, and yet we have drifted far from our roots. Now, we stand at a crossroads. Will we descend further into selfishness, complacency and apathy, or will we humble ourselves before God and ask Him to bring us back to the spiritual foundations upon which this great nation was built?
May 3, 2007 marks the 56th Annual National Day of Prayer. The Bible offers the assurance that God listens when His people humbly seek His face. Our Heavenly Father is waiting for His children to come together in prayer on behalf of our nation and its leaders. He wants us to search our hearts and repent, both individually and corporately, as we endeavor to point this country back in the right direction. It’s time for America to unite in prayer.

things to pray for ~

The Church
Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessing on Your Church. Create in us a renewed desire to love You wholeheartedly, and to serve others in Your Name. Grant us the grace and wisdom to make an impact on our nation and our world for Your glory. (Ephesians
4:3-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Acts 16:15)
Specific requests:
• That the Church would boldly embrace and proclaim God’s truth
• That God’s people would be united
• That believers would love one another and love their enemies
• That the Church would be characterized by integrity and righteousness, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit
________________________________________

Government
Lord, we lift our elected leaders before You and ask that You would grant each one wisdom and discernment. We pray that believing leaders would be bolstered and strengthened in their roles, and that unbelieving leaders would, through the work of Your Spirit, place their faith in You. May our legislatures and courts honor You as they confront the myriad challenges facing our cities, states and nation. (Exodus 18:21; Proverbs 11:3; Romans 13:1-2;
I Timothy 2:1-2)
Specific requests:
Wise decisions that bring about God’s kingdom here on earth
President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Cabinet
Members
US Senate and US House of Representatives
US Supreme Court Justices, for righteous Judges and righteous judgments
State and Local Leaders: ______________________
________________________________________

Family
Holy Father, we acknowledge ways we have allowed a breakdown of the family. We confess allowing things in our home that do not honor You. May you redeem families across the nation. (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:22-24, 6:1-3; Deuteronomy 11:18-19, 7:26; Ephesians 5:21; Mark 3:25)
We pray for:
The hearts of parents and children to be returned to each other
The sanctity of marriage
A return to family activities that unify rather than divide
Family devotions, prayer and church attendance to be re-established
________________________________________

Education
Father God, forgive us for allowing You and Your Word to be thrown out of schools, and for allowing Your truth to be replaced with lies. Please guide our teachers, our students and our schools across the nation. (Ephesians 4:1-17, Psalm 34:7, Matthew 19:14)
We pray for:
Protection in all schools across the nation against violence
For the youth of our nation to find their hope in Christ
School boards, parents and teachers to work together
Students and teachers across the land to turn to the Lord
________________________________

Military
Lord of Hosts, forgive us for giving glory that belongs to You to strategies and weapons and individuals instead. Help us to be grateful to the soldiers who lay down their lives for our freedom. (Psalm 20:7; 2 Kings 18:20; 2 Chronicles 32:6-7; Romans 16:4)
We pray for:
Wisdom before the nations
Strength and courage for those in the armed forces
The families of those serving in war
Our military to conduct themselves well even under duress
_______________________________

Media
Almighty, forgive us for allowing secular media to take over our homes, our time, our thoughts and our families. We repent of sending mixed messages to Hollywood by watching and purchasing things that are unwholesome or blatantly immoral. Help us to speak only what is helpful for building others so that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29;
Philippians 4:8; Matthew 12:36-37)
We pray for:
Salvation of industry executives and celebrities
Truth in news reporting
Media to be used to encourage life-giving principles in our society
_______________________________

i hope you all take the time today to thank God and pray for our country and everything that's going on!! God always hears us when we pray!!

"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

"Pray for one another, that you may be healed." James 5.16b