May 4, 2008
"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)
Prayer: America's Strength and Shield!
Prayer!
America's Strength & Shield
"The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped."
(Psalm 28:7)
Be a part of building a Prayer Blanket providing Strength and a Shield over our Nation!! INTRODUCTION TO WEEK SEVENTEEN This week, we continue to press in during WEEK SEVENTEEN of our 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, to honor this past week when America has observed the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer. In alignment with the prayer recommendations released by the National Task Force of the National Day of Prayer, we offer tihs week a prayer focus 4 Institutions our Forefathers developed to serve our Nation: 1. Our military [Please note: these prayers were originally written by Gabriel Jackson, who serves as NDP's California State Youth Coordinator. She wrote these prayers to be distributed as a prayer guide for the youth in high schools, churches, college and university campuses all over California. They have since then been picked up by the National Task Force team for the National Day of Prayer in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and are being made available to all through the NDP network. Thank you, Gabriel!] Praying for our Military This week, pray for . . . Strength of added courage for our American Military and all those who protect us and our country, with A Shield of protection against the forces of terror. Pray for: -- Accuracy in the media in reporting SCRIPTURES TO CLAIM: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. (Psalm 59:1) . . . for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. (Proverbs 2:8) He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. Praying for Our Schools Pray for . . . Strength of truth in American Education, for our schools and teachers, and for all those studying in our county from around the world, with A Shield of protection against the lie. Pray for: -- Righteous teachers and professors SCRIPTURES TO CLAIM: Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 11:18-19) Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:16,17) Praying for Our Businesses Pray for . . . Strength of endurance in our local American Business community, for entrepreneurs, employers, and workers during difficult times, with A Shield against discouragement. Pray for: -- Favor for Christians in business SCRIPTURES TO CLAIM: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal. 6:9) " . . . and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts - to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship." Praying for our Media Pray for . . .Strength of honor in American Media and Entertainment, print, radio, television, theatrical, and web-based, for all assist us in understanding our world, with A Shield against those who would hide the truth and promote evil. Pray for: -- A passion for truth in the news SCRIPTURES TO CLAIM: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Pray For Our Next American Generation of Leaders Pray for . . . Strength for our youth who are being bombarded on every side with lies and unbelief. From friends, to schools, to the media; our young people are constantly hearing lies spoken as truth. But our youth are called to be young men and women for God! They are called to be set apart, a generation not forsaken. Pray for:-- A passion for Jesus to erupt in the Christian youth -- Mentors and a partnering of the generations SCRIPTURES TO CLAIM: "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
INTRODUCTION TO WEEK SEVENTEEN
Ideas for Prayer in a Time of Turmoil and Transition
2. Our educational systems
3. Our businesses and
4. Our media
We will finish this week with a prayer for our next generation of leaders in America. Amen!
Praying for our Military
Pray for the courageous troops who are actively serving our country each day not only at bases around the world, but also here within our borders. Our soldiers daily place themselves in harm's way in order to defend the way of life we hold dear, and they desperately need our prayer support.
Their families should be remembered as well. These individuals often make significant sacrifices as they endure long separations, frequent moves and other challenges inherent to military service.
-- Chaplains representing Christ around the world.
-- Wisdom for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard leadership, police, sheriff, and fire chiefs, leaders of border patrols, and others charged with protecting us.
-- Those who have lost loved ones
-- Protection and blessing for troops abroad
-- God to move on the hearts of the troops
-- Protection against terrorism
-- Soldiers would be a light wherever they are stationed
(II Chronicles 32:6-8)
Praying for our Schools
Campuses have now become the battlegrounds for this next generation's soul. With secular humanism running rampant and truth and Godly principles surpassed and labeled "religious", it is time that we as the youth reclaim our campuses!
-- Opportunities to share faith on campus
-- Truth to be taught in classrooms from Kindergarten to graduate school
-- Godly principles in textbooks, curriculum, and teaching
-- That students would follow Christ throughout college
-- Local school boards
-- Affordable education
-- A passionate generation of lovers of Jesus to arise on campuses throughout the state
Praying for our Businesses
The workplace has become a front which many Christians have begun to back down from but we are called to be lights for Christ everywhere that we go! Whether it be in a short term position or long term career, Christians are to utilize these opportunities to bring glory to our Creator!
-- Christians to arise as lights in the workplace
-- Wisdom and integrity for business people
-- Godly entrepreneurs to arise
-- Finances for the Kingdom
-- Innovation
-- Opportunities to share faith at work and with co- workers
-- Excellence in the workplace
(Exodus 31:3-5)
Praying for our Media
From the top national networks to local newspapers, we are faced with the challenge of sorting through commentary and conjecture in order to get to the truth. Meanwhile, throughout the entertainment industry, the heroes of pop culture model vices such as materialism, promiscuity, substance abuse, and violence.
Pray for truth and morality to be presented in the news media and that Christians will reclaim this pivotal gate in society.
-- Godly men and women to arise in Hollywood and in the news industry
-- Truth to be revealed
-- Finances for Godly movies and entertainment
-- Righteous music
-- Godly role models
-- Creativity
-- God to move on the hearts of prominent media men and women
-- Christians to be accurately represented
-- Christians within our local media
-- Truth and righteousness in all forms of media including music, blogs, Internet, newspapers, magazines, television
(Phil. 4:8)
(Eph. 4:29)
(Matthew 12:36-37)
Praying for our Youth
Pray for the lost, the hopeless and the forgotten. Pray that the love of God would revolutionize the next generation from the inside out.
-- Boldness and love
-- Opportunities to share faith
-- The youth to use their gifts for God
-- That they would not be influenced by the culture but that they would influence the culture
-- RELEASE FROM: Depression, anxiety, suicide, anorexia, anger, pride, hopelessness
(2 Timothy 2:22)
(Ecclesiastes 12:1)
"Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. (Jeremiah 1:5-9)
Song of the Week
BLEST IS THE NATION WHERE THE LORD HATH FIXED HIS GRACIOUS THRONE
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalm 33:12)
Words: Isaac Watts (1719)
Music:: Alexander R. Reinagle (1836)
As this week draws to a close, we dedicate this hymn to ALL who have labored so faithfully to honor the Lord and to pray for our nation on the National Day of Prayer, 2008.
The words to this old, classic hymn are found, below, and the music can be found by going here.
May you be BLESSED and REFRESHED as you honor those who have gone before, in our faith, in America. Amen!
Blest is the nation where the Lord Hath fixed His gracious throne, Where He reveals His heav'nly Word And calls their tribes His own.
His eye with infinite survey Does the whole behold; He formed us all of equal clay And knows our feeble mold.
Kings are not rescued by the force Of armies from the grave; Nor speed nor courage of a horse Can the bold rider save.
Vain is the strength of beasts or men, To hope for safety thence; But holy souls from God obtain A sure and strong defense.
God is their fear, and God their trust; When plagues or famine spread, His watchful eye secures the just Among ten thousand dead.
Lord, let our hearts in Thee rejoice, And bless us from Thy throne; For we have made Thy Word our choice, And trust Thy grace alone.
