The day this meditation is
published in the newspaper is the National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer is always the
first Thursday in May and is a day set aside for all people of faith to pray
for the nation and its inhabitants in their many needs. The focus, however, tends to be on national
leaders, the nation’s military, and the current challenges facing the nation. If you are reading this on the day of
publication I encourage you to take some time to pray for the nation in
whatever way you are led to do. If you
are reading this at a later date please know that any day is a good day to pray
for our country.
In
II Timothy 2:1 St. Paul wrote, “First of all, then, I
urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for
all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.” It has always been a part of the church’s
ministry to pray for those who hold authority in the land, whether that be a
president of the country or a local official.
It is not just for those “who are in high positions” for whom we pray,
but for all who have a part in making and enforcing the laws of the land and
protecting our people from harm. That
being said, those who are in high positions make decisions that affect millions
of people. This spring the nation is
observing the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the
fall of Saigon which surely teaches us that bad
decisions by those in high positions can have devastating consequences for
those of us in more lowly positions. So
let us pray for those who have great authority that they act with wisdom.
Much
of what happens in this country is the result of countless small decisions made
by ordinary citizens. The recent riots
in Baltimore were not the result of
anything anyone in high authority did, but what some ordinary people did. St. Paul
asks that prayer be made for all men, including those often unemployed young
men who take to the streets in violent protest.
Pray that they find better ways to air their grievances and more
productive ways to life their lives.
Don’t forget the little guy. America
was founded on the principle that “all men are created equal.” Every voice is important. Every person has their part to play in the
life of the nation. So let us pray for
everyone in this land that they all lead “a quiet and peaceable life, godly and
respectful in every way.”
The theme of this year’s National Day of
Prayer is “Lord, Hear Our Cry” based on the theme verse from I Kings 8:28, “Hear
the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this
day.” You can be confident that when you
pray to the God of heaven, he will hear the prayer you offer. This assurance is found in James 5:16, “The
prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” So let us pray today.
Pastor Gary Halverson
Pastor Gary Halverson
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