I'm Joni Eareckson Tada on this National Day of Prayer.
And I hope you have made plans to attend a National Day of Prayer event in your community. As you know I'm serving as this year’s Honorary Chairperson and so, today, my husband Ken and I are in Washington, D.C. for a special prayer meeting in the congressional office building – also, we will be at the Pentagon for prayer events there as well.
And where will our prayers begin? With II Chronicles chapter 7. In fact, if you’re able, quiet your heart and just pray with me right now with that Bible verse in mind: Lord God, we are your people who are called by your name and we come before you now to humble ourselves – confessing our sin and agreeing with you that we are in desperate need of a Savior. Help us turn from our wicked ways as we seek your face. And please, hear from heaven, forgive our sin, would you, and heal our land which is in such urgent need of your grace. In the name of Jesus we pray this. Amen.
Okay friend now, would you just take a moment to lift up the President of the United States as we pray: Dear Father, in Jesus’ Name, we pray for President Obama. Would you surround him with wise counsel… would you please surround him with good men and women of integrity who place the honor of this nation above their own motives and make certain their motives are right, would you? Give our President discernment and knowledge concerning the issues that require his attention. And we pray that partisan politics not be a factor in his decision-making process, but only that which is best for our country. We pray this on his behalf. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Thank you for that, and now would you take a moment to pray for our Supreme Court Justices. Just join your heart with mine as I pray and say: Father, in the name of Jesus, we bring before you the Supreme Court Justices – may they be people who will judge rightly in every matter brought before them. We pray that the decrees of the Supreme Court will be your decrees. And may godly justice rise up within the heart of each Supreme Court Justice so that they might make rulings in line with your will. We pray this in your name. Amen.
And finally, friend, on this National Day of Prayer, would you join me in bringing those in the military before the throne. Again just join your heart with mine as I pray: Thank you, Lord, for the men and women of our Armed Forces. Protect them as they protect us. Defend them as they defend us. Encourage and strengthen their spirit, soul and body as they execute their duties around the world. We pray that no harm will take them by surprise, but that they might be aware of every aggression. Reveal to military leaders the strategies that our enemies would wage against our nation. Finally, Father, give our military favor with the government agencies of this country. We especially pray for those who have been wounded in service to our nation – provide the necessary resources they and their families need. Fill our soldiers and sailors with a strong sense of your favor. In your precious name, Jesus. Amen.
Well, friend, I want to thank you for joining me in these few prayers – and again, if you’re able, make an effort today to attend a National Day of Prayer event in your community. And if you’d like a special booklet which outlines scriptures and points on how to pray for aspects of our national life, then take a moment to visit our radio page today at joniandfriends.org and ask for “Pray for Our Nation.” It’s an exceptional little booklet that will serve as a prayer guide. Again, that’s “Pray for Our Nation” and just ask for it at joniandfriends.org. Finally, may God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.
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