Today (May 3, 2018) is the National Day of Prayer in the U.S.  The good thing is that God’s people, His church, do not have national boundaries in the spiritual realm, and anyone in any country can participate—prayer is not limited in any respect except for scriptural guidelines.  Here are a few:

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.  For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8)

“…You do not have, because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:2,3)

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27, 28)

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  Again, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:18-20)

I am grateful that the Bible teaches so much about prayer, because I’m pretty sure the enemy, the ones who come to steal, kill, and destroy, whose mission is to seek and devour unwitting victims, also seeks to interrupt our communication with the Father—and the remarkable authority and power available to Christians united in faith and in prayer.

The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 to be held on the 3^rd day of May each year—the NDP Taskforce sets the priorities for prayer each year; an overriding theme for this year is Unity.

As much as I long to see God Bless America, with hearts and lives striving for unity in this country, my greater desire is to see the church worldwide become united under the banner of the cross, committed to acknowledging and teaching the Bible as the inerrant, infallible Word of God—truth without the taint of error, united in the presence power of the Holy Spirit, choosing to love God above all else and loving our neighbors as ourselves.  I pray that the single light each one of our lives provide will unite together and provide a blazing testimony to the gospel, the goodness, and the grace of God.

Together, we are many more than two or three.  Together, if we ask God for Spiritual awakening across the land and around the world, we can expect the Father to do great things!

Father, purge hypocrisy out of our lives; help us to love you and love people more than we love things.  Change our hearts, cleanse bitterness and unforgiveness from our lives.  Help us to love and pray for those who abuse and mistreat us; restrain us from repaying evil with evil.  Cause our words to reflect the good changes you are making in our hearts, O God!

I pray for leaders and people in positions of authority in this country—Lord, grant them wisdom and surround them with Godly advisors.  Do not let evil prosper, Father!  Jesus taught, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed or hidden that will not be known.  Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2-3)

I pray that unjust covenants made is darkness will be revealed, that subversive and evil conversations will be exposed.  Confound and frustrate every attempt of the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy lives and freedom.

Awaken your people, Lord!  Create an atmosphere of unity without compromising truth or righteousness within our homes, our countries, and within your church.  Bring believers together in your Name; together may we agree to speak truth, stand against the liar and his lies, and powerfully live out your righteous purposes for our lives.

In Jesus’ name, amen.