The Prayer Circle Leader

May 2, 2013, is the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer(NDP). Millions will unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. The national theme for 2013 is Pray for America. The Scripture is Matthew 12:21. “In His name the nations will put their hope”. The theme emphasizes the need for individuals, corporately and individually to place their faith in the unfailing character of God who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men. We have an opportunity to see the Lord’s healing and renewing power made manifest as we call on YOU and all citizens to humbly come before His throne.

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.

The 2013 National Prayer was written by Greg Laurie, Pastor, Honorary Chairman which is as follows:

Father, we come to You to pray for our nation, the United States of America.
How You have blessed us through the years, Lord! We rightly sing, “America, America, God shed His grace on thee.” Yet we see trouble in our culture today. We see the breakdown of the family, crippling addictions, and random acts of horrific violence.

Lord, we need Your help in America. In recent days, we have done our best to remove Your Word and Your counsel from our courtrooms, classrooms and culture. It seems, as President Lincoln once said, that we have “forgotten God.” But Lord, You have not forgotten us! You can bless and help and revive our country again.

Scripture tells us that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs14:34). Lord, in Your mercy, we ask that You would exalt our country again. We have had a number of great awakenings in America. We have experienced times of refreshing, and revivals that changed not only the spiritual but also the moral landscape. As the psalmist said, “Will You not revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6)

That is our prayer for America today, Lord. Send a mighty spiritual awakening that will turn the hearts of men and women, boys and girls back to you. You have told us if we will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, that You will forgive our sins and heal our land. (2 Chronicles7:14)

Forgive us today, Lord, and heal this troubled land that we love so much.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ.

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). I believe that 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.
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Legal attacks have been raise seeking the demise of this nation recognizing a National Day of Prayer. On April 14, 2011 the 7th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a lawsuit that challenged the National Day of Prayer (NDP) as unconstitutional. The court overturned the April 2010 ruling by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb, for the Western District of Wisconsin, that NDP violates the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution.

Prayer Action: Prayer Points for each Prayer Focus
Prayer Focus
Government

• May God’s hand of wisdom and guidance remain upon each segment of our society, and through His Spirit, may believers be inspired to “pray continually” (I Thessalonians 5:17).
• 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 , men and women, will be granted divine wisdom, guidance and strength to fulfill their important roles:
• Pray for Federal Leaders
• President: Barack Obama- Guidance, grace protection, wisdom and family
Vice President: Joe Biden
Secretary of State:
Pray for the other Secretaries
Pray for State and Local Leaders

Military-Armed Forces

• 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 the Lord’s protection will go before them.
• Lift up the chaplains stationed around the world, along with the Christian servicemen who unofficially fulfill a role of spiritual leadership.
• 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.
• Pray that our media’s accounts of U.S. military actions are relayed fairly and impartially.

Media

• Pray for truth and morality to be presented.
• 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.
• Ask the Lord to provide the television, radio and print mediums with staff members and executives who are committed to accuracy and integrity.
• Intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate. Pray that more of Hollywood’s celebrities will be worthy of our respect and admiration. .

Business

• Pray for business women and men of integrity, fairness and courage will arise.,
• Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace.

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.
• 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.
• Pray for them to overcome stress and temptation and to walk worthy of their vocation.
• Pray for the Lord to spark a revival throughout our nation, protect the witness of our pastors, and continue to sanctify and purify Christians around the world.

Family.

• Pray for the family to be preserved as the Lord intended .
• Pray that families will follow godly principles.

The prayer points have been adopted from the National Day of Prayer Task Force http://nationaldayofprayer.org/coordinators