Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34 NAS
Reflection
Happy 4th of July!
The Reverend Billy Graham was the Honorary-Chairman, now called Co-Host, of the 2001 National Day of Prayer. The 2001 National Prayer authored from his heart is just as relevant to pray today as we thank God for blessing America, and throughout the month of July as we give focus to praying for all three branches of our government at the local, state and national levels .
Rev. Graham led us in praying,
“Our Father and Our God,
We praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve.
Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face.
Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace.
We pray today for our nation’s leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it.
You have said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord.
This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.”
There are several things that touch my heart deeply in this prayer including the format that begins with praise and thanks. We serve a God who is good and that never changes. We must bless Him first and foremost not based on earthly circumstances but always in His unchanging attributes that can and should always change and challenge us as we give thanks in every blessing.
Secondly, it is a prayer filled with the words, “we” and “us,” not “them” and “they.” He leads us to take collective responsibility for what is not right in America, and to acknowledge we need conviction of sin, moral and spiritual renewal, and God’s help in everything we face.
Thirdly, after confession and a heart focused on the holiness of God and His will there is a request for repentance, a turning and returning to faith, the path of righteousness, and peace. In obeying God’s ways we experience His peace abounding in us and not the chaos of the circumstances surrounding us.
It is only after all of these that our prayer turns to our nation’s leaders in every sphere of influence from the White House to your house. You are a leader with great influence. All you think, say and do, not only have an effect on you but a multiplying effect on others echoing across your community and country. Hundreds of words, actions and attitudes radiate from us each day and touch those with whom we intersect and interact. They quickly pass on our contagious “residue” as the come in contact and interact throughout the day, and the mood is multiplied for miles as the day wears on.
If we are kind, being light to someone there is a good chance they will act in that kindness other times during the day. If we are selfish or rude, chances are we just darkened the course of their mood and everyone who is in their path that day. Imagine what that looks like if that person is a teacher, in the hospitality industry, a manager, or decision maker. In Christ, we are called to be fruitful, not emotional, operating in the Spirit and not the flesh; but but who among us can honestly say we have never been subject to a bad mood or a bad day?
The key word in that sentence is “subject.” We submit ourselves under the authority of a wrong and unrighteous spirit when we act out in a bad mood, and we see and experience it every day as our culture acts out in anger, division, and selfishness, instead of righteousness. This is where Rev. Graham prays, “Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it.”
If you don’t know how to pray for those serving in government, this is a very good place to start. Pray for those who may not know the Word, will and ways of God. Pray for those who have never read a single word of the Bible. Pray for those who may have gone to church when they were growing up but the seeds that were planted did not take root and grow in their hearts and minds. Pray for those who are faithful, fruitful men and women praying and standing for what is biblically right and righteous.
Pray for them, send them an email to encourage them, vote for them and pray for those who work with them and for them. Complaining and criticizing others only contributes to the darkness in their lives and is sin in our own lives. Lifting Up the Word of God over them, to them, and to shine through them brings light to many. God shapes us through His Word and gives us the courage to shine as we all live it out.
Will you please pray with us now?
Our Father and our God, we humble ourselves in this moment and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. Take this moment and multiply it throughout all of our days and ways that they would reflect Your Word, Your will and love not just for those who follow You but for every person made in Your image. For the wanderer, the worried, the anxious, and the angry we pray Your presence, path, and peace. Convict us of our unrighteous behavior and attitudes as we go through our days, create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us so it radiates through us and shines light for others to walk in throughout their day. We pray for all who serve in our government that they would experience You in an undeniable encounter as You move in their lives. We pray they would seek You in Your Word , not just for blessings but also confessing their need for You and desire to follow You as their Lord. Strengthen our godly leaders and give them the courage to always do that which is not just “right” in the eyes of their voters, but right in Your eyes. Prompt us to pray and encourage them in Your love and Word. In Your heavenly and holy name we pray, Amen!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
