National Day of Prayer

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Yesterday, May 4, was the National Day Prayer in America. Locally, several churches and Christian groups united for a serious time of intercession for our nation and our community. Special thanks to Rev David Braxton, The River Church, Haverhill, and Rev Bill Spirdione, Common Ground Ministries, Haverhill for spearheading this event. I am certain the Lord heard us and took every prayer into consideration as He ministers His love, grace and conviction across the land.

I was asked to lead a prayer for the Church. Following is an outline of that prayer. This was one of the few times I sensed the Lord nudge me to jot down specific topics that we should pray for. Some of the prayer was highlighted by additional exclamations and insights I felt at the time. I could sense much agreement with the others present as this prayer was lifted up. Here it is in its basic form:

The Purpose of the Church: 1Timothy 3:14-15 "pillar and foundation of the truth"

Introduction: There are lies all around: re social order, morality, individualism, purpose - of life, of family, of church. But Jesus said….

~John 14:6 Jesus "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me"

~John 18:37 Jesus "I have come to bear witness to the truth"

~John 18:38 Pilate answered, Q: "what is truth" A: Jesus, standing there, quietly...waiting to be whipped, beaten, humiliated, tortured, taken away, ready to lay His life down for the sins of the world. Jesus answered by demonstrating His love and dying on a wooden cross for us. He paid the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption and salvation. That's the truth. That's what we're called to proclaim and protect...."the pillar and foundation of the truth"

Prayer:

  • God, use Your Church as a beacon of light and joy to a world that is searching for answers

  • Jesus, give your pastors keen wisdom and insight that is in tune with your Spirit so they would never lose sight of the mission of Your Church

  • Lord, open hearts in the Church to care for people outside the church, to be praying for them and to become visibly and tangibly concerned and helping them in needs and struggles

  • Bring a focus for exalting You above all else, to pastors, church staff, volunteers and lay leaders

  • Stir the Holy Spirit among the body to actively participate in discipling one another in Scripture

  • Father, burden the Church with urgency to share the Gospel with passion and the power of the Spirit

  • Remind us to eagerly look for ways to use our time, talents, and treasures to build up the Body of Christ

  • Your Church that is expressed in different ways in this community: the Catholics, Protestants; main line and independent churches; English speaking, Spanish speaking, Portuguese speaking, any other speaking groups. Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Evangelical churches....to proclaim unashamedly, the Truth of Jesus Christ.

*Unity in essentials: John 17:22 "be one as Jesus and the Father are one"

*Integrity: 1 Peter 2:11 "free of fleshly lusts; conduct ourselves honorably" 

* "rejoice in truth" not shun the truth 1 Corinthians 14:6

*Continue: Colossians 2:6-8 "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."

*Fulfill the Great Commandment "love You with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength; and the Great Commission "Preach You to all the world, discipling, teaching, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit"

*For the para-church ministries in town: feed the poor, cloth the naked, visit the prisons, help the needy, love our youth...

~Leaving the Streets, Community Christian Fellowship, Common Ground Ministries, Salvation Army, New Brothers fellowship

~Church of America to arise...for such a time as this. For hunger for You and conviction by Your Spirit to rain down on us. We would truly be the Light to the lost You called us to be.

1 Timothy 3:13-14 "...the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the Truth" would be busy about Your business..as we await Your soon return.

In Jesus' Name..