eNEWS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 23, 2013
K-House eNews — Next Thursday, May 2, marks the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer. Cities and churches throughout the nation will hold prayer gatherings to recognize God’s goodness and to thank Him for the many blessings He has poured on America. Millions will gather to seek His guidance and protection for our national and local leaders, our communities, and our families.On February 19, 1795, President George Washington proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving, and since that time there have been many days of national prayer in America. In 1952 Congress established an official National Day of Prayer, and in 1988 set aside the 1st Thursday in May for that purpose.
“Pray For America” is this year’s theme, in recognition of the sovereignty of our Creator over the affairs of all governments and nations, including our own, and the importance of placing our trust and the welfare of our national and local governments in His large hands.
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord proclaims “If my people, who call on My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land.”
America cherishes the right to worship freely according to the dictates of one’s own conscience. The great minds behind the U.S. government not only sought to preserve that freedom, they recognized the importance of true, personal faith for the health of the nation. President George Washington’s mother, Mary Washington, once said, “Remember that God is our only sure trust.” As our country faces tragic bombings, ongoing natural disasters, and the culture’s pervasive moral decline, circumstances can seem overwhelming. However, we find comfort in the willingness of our fellow Americans to humbly fall with us to our knees on behalf of our country and the people in it, that we might offer the light of our Savior to each other and to the rest of the world.
Need Something To Pray For?
• Pray for Government: From the President and Congress and Supreme Court down to our local mayors and town councils, our government officials need prayer for guidance and wisdom. Whether or not we agree with them politically, these men and women are in positions of authority, and they need our prayers, not just on Thursday, but constantly.
• Pray for Military: There are plenty of miracle stories among America’s soldiers about times they’ve witnessed amazing protection during deadly situations. Keep praying for our soldiers on the field as well as for their leadership all the way up to the decision-makers in the Pentagon. Also remember the families of the fallen, who continue to grieve long after the battles are over.
• Pray for Media: We need an honest and unbaised media in America that will give straight-forward news. We also need to pray for righteous role models in the sports and entertainment industries. As we enjoy the many media outlets available to us, we need to be careful about the influences to which we expose ourselves and our children, and we need to seek input that will further our true purpose on this planet. Pray for America’s heart to be moved regarding these things.
• Pray for Business: This means far more than praying for the economy. We need to pray for honest and ethical behavior in America’s businesses. The United States is a nation of business, and righteous and wise business practices lead to prosperity just as corruption and greed have lead to destruction. We need to practice excellence in our businesses.
• Pray for Education: The schools of America were once founded on the Bible. A knowledge of the Bible was considered an integral part of education, and literacy was vital to being able to read God’s Word. Over the past fifty years, that attitude has completely changed in our education system. And despite vast amounts of money and effort, our schools are riddled with apathy, illiteracy, and violence. We need to pray for our schools and the students in those schools. We also need to pray for our teachers and the policy makers who affect education decisions, and we need to pray that effective new ideas (or effective old ideas) will be free to make an impact.
• Pray for Church: Our pastors and their families need constant, daily prayer. They need to be able to lead their local bodies through the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and they need protection and encouragement in the midst of constant stresses and temptations. We also need to pray for the Church across America and across the world. We are a Body, and when one member is hurting, we all suffer. We need to care for one another.
• Pray for Family: We were all raised by somebody. Family is the foundation of society, and if our homes are filled with abuse and neglect and poor examples, our country is in serious trouble. We need to pray for marriage in America, for loving husband and wife relationships in homes where children are lovingly cared for. We need our homes to be places where parents practice what they preach and demonstrate to children how wise and healthy decisions are made. We also need to pray for upcoming legislation and court cases that will affect the Family.
Please prepare to join others in your city or church, or start your own prayer gathering. There are prayer events being held in communities from Seattle to Washington DC and from Los Angeles to Augusta to Ft. Lauderdale. Prayer warriors are meeting at city halls and parks, schools and military bases, prisons and homeless shelters and even gas stations! Gather wherever you can, and join hearts with other believers to seek God for our nation, our communities and our families.
The World trusts in riches and power and prestige, but these things are temporary and can be lost in a day—as we have seen repeatedly in recent years. Only God is always faithful. Only God is holy and incorruptible. Only God can provide real safety and strength. Only God gives us true hope.
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.~ Psalms 86:11-12
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Related:
» National Day of Prayer Events - NDP Task Force
» Greg Laurie’s Prayer - NDP Task Force
» Koinonia House
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About Dr. Chuck Missler & K-House
Koinonia is a New Testament word which is most often translated to mean “communication”, “fellowship”, or “communion”. Koinonia House, or K-House as we are affectionately called, is dedicated to the development and distribution of materials for encouraging and facilitating serious study of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God.K-House was founded by Chuck and Nancy Missler. Chuck, a Naval academy graduate and former Branch Chief of the Dept. of Guided Missiles, had a remarkable 30-year executive career. He served on the Board of Directors of 12 public companies and was CEO of 6 of them. For twenty years Chuck balanced his high-profile corporate career with his teaching commitment to a weekly Bible study at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in Southern California. Nancy, while raising their four children, has touched the lives of thousands through her in-depth teaching of Biblical discoveries in her “Way of Agape” and “Be Ye Transformed” books and tape series. » Full Bio