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Thursday May 1, 2014, is National Day of Prayer -The National Day of prayer focus is Government, Church, Military, Family, Education, Media, and Business . The Theme for 2014 is One Voice, United in Prayer. Romans 15:6 is the national Scripture for this year: “So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. . God is in control of this nation. Let us not take for granted this day of prayer, designated by Congress, signed into law by the President of the United States, recognized by all 50 Governors and observed by millions of people. However, we should by praising and praying to the Lord for this nation every day.

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 turburbent time of open racism, rumours of wars and agression, and troubled communites and cites we need to go before the Lord to seek through prayer, “peaceful and quiet lives” – for ourselves, our families, our neighbors and friends and our nation.

How can we P. R. A. Y. Praise the Lord with all your heart. Praise is a powerrful weapon to breakdown walls ,open closed doors and to win battles. Stacey S. Padrick, Discipleship Journal, Issue 108, 1998.
R. is to repent. This nation and each of us as individuals must repent of our sins and humble ourselves before the Lord.Repent – Confess your sins and shortcomings. Repent personally and on behalf of our nation. The Lord is quick to forgive when we come to Him. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 NIV
Ask – Ask God to reveal truth, turn our hearts back toward Him, and bring healing. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7
Yield– Yield to the Lord and recognize that He has heard our prayers and will answer according to His will. He is waiting to provide guidance and direction. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

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). 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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Let’s Pray on one accord the following points adopted by the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

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.
• Pray that leaders , men and women, will be granted divine wisdom, guidance and strength to fulfill their important roles ,1 Timothy 2:1-2: :
• Pray for Federal Leaders
• President: Barack Obama- Guidance, grace protection, wisdom and family
Vice President: Joe Biden
Secretary of State: John Kerry
Pray for other leaders in the administration
Pray for State and Local Leaders

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.

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 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.

Family.

• Pray for the family to be preserved as the Lord intended. ( See generally Ephesians 5:21-33-6:1-4)
• Pray that families will follow godly principles.
The prayer points have been adopted from the National Day of Prayer Task Force

Linda Fegins , The Prayer Leader ( April 2014)

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