National Day of Prayer

Today is Thursday, May 5, 2005, the day the leader of our great country has proclaimed as the National Day of Prayer. I encourage you to visit this site, http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/index.php?action=story_page&story_id=49, and read the President's proclamation.

As we begin today, we have so much for which to pray. Here are a few:

• Our country is still at war and our young men and women are still in danger;
• Our legislators are at war with each other and we need to pray that they will put the best interest of the country first;
• Be thankful for your mother, who gave you life;
• Pray for the leaders of your congregation that they will lead you in the direction God has set out for you;
• Thank God for those who have influenced your life and set a Christian example for you to follow;
• Pray that you can have that kind of influence on others;
• Pray for your preacher that he will have the strength to deal with the hurts, fears, and problems of those he counsels daily and that he will be able find comfort while comforting others;
• Pray for those who are hurting physically, spiritually, and emotionally that they will find healing and the strength to endure and become stronger because of their ordeal;
• Pray for your children's spiritual walk;
• Pray for your children's spouses or future spouses;
• Pray for your spouse. Thank God for him or her;
• Pray for God to make you a better parent, child, employee, boss, friend, teacher and example;
• Pray for God to make you a better servant;
• Pray that we can come to know Jesus better;
• Pray for Jesus to come quickly (and be ready when he does!)

I am sure that there are many more things on your plate, and you may be thinking that you do not have time in your busy schedule to pray for all those things, but take the time to come into the presence of God. Prayer is not just something we need to do at meal times or before we go to bed. Ephesians 6:18 (The Message) tells us, "In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

"pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18.