National Day of Prayer

Thursday   May 2, 2019

Theme: “Love One Another”.

“Love one another. Just as I have loved you.” John 13:34

Thursday May 2, 2019, is National Day of Prayer -The National Day of prayer focuses are Government, Church, Military, Family, Education, Media, and Business . The Theme for 2019 is  “Love One Another. John 13:34 is the national Scripture for this year: ““Love one another. Just as I have loved you.” John 13:34.

Many in our nation sense a growing division and hostility among the people of this nation. We have seen an increasing lack of civility and grace in how we communicate with one another in almost every sphere of society beginning with those in government leadership roles.

 

The apostle Paul urged that “requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (I Timothy 2:1-3). It is time for us to P. R. A. Y. as a nation corporately and individually ,in this turbulent time of open racism, rumors of wars and aggression, and troubled communities and cites. Pray that we will truly love one another as Christ has loved us. We need to go before the Lord to seek through prayer that we walk in love and for “peaceful and quiet lives” – for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, friends and our nation.

Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

Every year, millions of Americans, in tens of thousands of meetings across all 50 states, come together for unified public prayer for America. Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the president of the National Day of Prayer.

The NDP emphasizes prayer for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family (I Timothy 2:1-6). Pray for each of the areas. For guidance in how to pray for these areas see the prayer points below.

Let us continue to pray for our nation in prayer gatherings and in our homes. God throughout His Word tells us to pray that He may heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Continue to pray for our nation as the “prayers of righteous persons are powerful and effective”. James 5:16. The sovereign Lord listens to our cries, waits to intervene on our behalf and to deliver and transform the ills of our nation. (See e.g. Zephaniah 3:17). Prayer is required and imperative for believers individually, and corporately as a nation, to pray continually throughout the year, not just on the National Day of Prayer. There is a need for faithful, preserving intercession for our leaders, government, families, education system, the legal system, churches, the armed forces and the media. Our prayers will impact generations to come if we continue to seek the Lord’s guidance and protection and be obedient to His Word.

 

HOW TO PRAY OUR 2019 THEME, LOVE ONE ANOTHER, INTO THE SEVEN CENTERS OF INFLUENCE IN AMERICA FOR
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, MAY 2, 2019

“Love one another, just as I have loved you.”
John 13:34

GOVERNMENT

  • Federal: executive, legislative, judicial
  • State: executive, legislative, judicial
  • Local: executive, legislative, judicial, police, fire, first responders

Pray for these leaders and civil servants to Love One Another by valuing one another, respecting one another, and working together for the greater good of our nation.

MILITARY

  • Courageous and wise leaders
  • God’s protection
  • Continual dependence on God

Pray for all military leaders and personnel to Love One Another because love is a powerful force when unity is critical to victory.

MEDIA ARTS

  • Communicators of truth
  • Sharing inspirational stories
  • Respecting others

Pray for all persons who are working in media and arts to Love One Another by respecting all persons and sharing inspirational stories that illustrate the power of love.

BUSINESS

  • Leaders of honesty and integrity
  • Creators of economic blessing
  • Helpers and givers to local community

Pray for business leaders to comprehend their great opportunity to create powerful, effective, and productive teams and businesses that win when they Love One Another.

EDUCATION

  • Highly values truth
  • Expects excellence
  • Prepares students to win

Pray for administrators, teachers, and faculty teams who will Love One Another so they can create a culture of love and respect for every student. Pray for students to rise up together, loving one another and making a difference in the future of America.

CHURCH

  • Biblically-based, Christ-centered
  • Holy Spirit-empowered
  • Great Commission-driven

Pray for pastors and churches to model and exemplify Jesus’ words, Love One Another, to a world that needs the love of Christ desperately. Raise up a Love One Another movement across America.

FAMILY

  • Follow the Bible
  • Practice forgiveness
  • Love One Another

Pray for families to live Jesus’ teaching, Love One Another, to create families that follow the Bible and practice love and forgiveness
.

More Specific Prayer Points for the 7 Prayer Focuses:

Family
In you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:3 (KJV)
If a house is divided against itself , that house cannot stand. Mark 3:25
• Pray for unity and love in family units that reaches out in hospitality toward others. Romans 12:9-13.
• Pray for God centered relationships among family members.
• Pray that parents will be bold to instruct their children in God’s way of living and lead their families to pray together.
• Pray for relationships between parents and children that it be one of love, respect, honor and obedience.
• Pray for a return to the biblical mandate to train children at home.
• Pray that families will follow godly principles.
• Pray for our youth –their safety, protection, obedience, purpose and excellence.
• Pray for families dismantled by divorce to be healed
.• Pray that Christ forgiveness would dissolve anger, bitterness and strife in relationships among family members.
• Pray for the family and for elected leaders and the members of our judicial system as they consider proposed legislation and various court cases related to marriage and the family to preserve what God intended.

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Government

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 1 Timothy 2:1-2
• Pray for righteousness to prevail in this nation. Righteousness exalts a nation Proverbs 14:34.
• Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.1 Timothy 2:1-2.
• Pray that leaders will be granted divine wisdom, guidance and strength to fulfill their important roles; leaders to make wise decisions.
• Pray for righteous judges and judgments in every court (Isaiah 1:26).

 

Marketplace and Business
Exodus 31:3-4 (AMP)
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and ability, in understanding and intelligence, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship,
To devise skillful works….
• Pray that business women and men of integrity, fairness and courage will arise .May God bless those who base business practices in righteousness.
• Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace that will have influence.
• Pray for the economy, that new companies will come to the region.
• Pray for sound and fair businesses, for favor, new contracts, witty ideas and creativity and for solutions to problems to help the community.
• Pray for the workplace- for fairness and fair pay and to be free of harassment and prejudice.

Military-Armed Forces : Psalm 5:11; Psalm 59:1

  • Pray for discernment and protection from the of the United States’ enemies that are among us, even as others plot against us from afar.
    • Pray for divine protection and guidance for our armed forces. Ask God to intercede for military chaplains and loved ones at home.
    • Pray for the courageous troops, and their families, 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 as well. ..
    • Pray for those who have lost a loved one in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price. Ask that God’s comfort would be upon them in a special way.

Media

  • Pray for truth and morality to be presented. Ephesians 4:29
    • Pray for the entertainment industry and their deliverance from vices such as materialism, promiscuity, substance abuse, and violence.
    • Pray for wholesome and truthful offerings and acceptable alternatives for families to replace the media’s often biased and immoral offerings.
    • Intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate.

Education

  • Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.
    • Pray for students who are trained in righteousness as well as sound educational curricula. II Timothy 3:16
    • Pray for our nation’s public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students.
    • Pray for our local school boards

 

Church

  • Pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming God’s Word. Ephesians 4:11-16
    • Pray for the Lord to provide pastors and spiritual leaders with strength and avenues of accountability so that they may maintain steadfastness in their vital callings.    Linda Fegins, The Prayer Leader ldfaygo@gmail.com