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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ~ II Chronicles 7:14
Jump into any article or comment thread on the efficacy of biblical prayer and you generally bump into a triage of atheists mocking and deriding this most basic and enduring measure of Faith. Leftist liberals are another group of the ‘prayer does nothing’ gang. The eternal question is – How do they know? Any killings that never took place because of prayer never appear on the ledger.
One time years ago to start off his sermon, one of the many pastors that I have been privileged to have served under, posed the question of how many of us have SEEN an answer to prayer. Pretty well the entire gathering raised their hand. He then asked how many of us have BEEN an answer to prayer. (Side note to the anti-prayer crowd: you are really missing out on something!)
Again a fair number of hands went up, but not as many as for the first question. The point of the sermon was that if we have abundant love, we are more likely to be the answer to other people’s prayers. My extra point is that an awful lot of us are persuaded of the efficacy of prayer because we have experienced it. How can someone experience the power of prayer if they mock prayer?
What disturbs me the most is this: over the past several decades we as a nation have turned away from God. Our culture has been going downhill for years. And the very people that have led the march away from God think that God should be nice to us and the fact that bad things happen proves there is no God. Just how convoluted is that?!
Millions of fervent American prayer warriors understand that our immediate need is to turn back to God, with believers praying for revival. A great place to start is with the great prayers of national repentance by Moses, Daniel, Nehemiah, and others. (See link below under ‘Great prayers/sermons of Revival’).
Throughout my revived life (I came to Christ somewhat later in life, over the Easter weekend of 1996) God has used other people, sometimes perfect strangers, to come to my rescue and aid. And it was no coincidence. I would pray and ask for His help (even today) and He sends it. Also, there have been times when people have said to me ‘you’re an angel sent to help me’ or, ‘I think God sent you to help me’. These are always the best of times. I pray daily to God to use me for His purposes, not those of my own. And I can honestly say before Him and you all, that being used by Him is simply the best!
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Which brings me to my own prayer for today lifted from the commentary thread as a lead-in segue` to E. W. Jackson and his timely piece in American Thinker, which is titled appropriately, “Prayer under Attack”.
Thank you Lord for the privilege of this life and the privilege of this day, the privilege of growing in the grace and knowledge of God, the privilege of praying for all other people, for whom we are thankful, please work your good and perfect will in our lives this day.
We thank you and praise you for our country. Thank you that we live with relative peace and security, and that we still have the freedom to speak out against injustice when we see it. Thank you for all of the good gifts that you’ve given us, for all that we have around us, especially those things we take for granted.
Father we pray that you would give us a government with laws that promote justice, honesty and truth, bringing opportunity to those in need and having compassion on those who are broken.
Father we pray that you would give us politicians who have clarity, integrity, and passion for what is right. Give them great intelligence to solve problems, but please give them great strength of character, to stay away from anything corrupt, or sinful, as well.
Please thwart the evil plans of men, and expose the evil deeds of men so that they will not escape justice, and rescue from destruction the innocent, the helpless, the unwary, and the unsaved, especially those children and seniors who have been forcibly separated from their families, please work your good and perfect will in their lives this day. Bless and protect all who travel, conduct business or attend classes today, that they may do so free of threats, danger, and destruction, please work your good and perfect will in their lives this day.
We pray that you would bring great healing to our nation where it needs it, bring about a generation who will stand against the tide of cynicism, to act justly, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you.
Bless all who love us and all whom we love. Bless and protect Donald Trump and his family, Mike Pence and his family, all incoming Cabinet Members and Aides to the President and their families, all lawmakers who uphold Biblical principles and their families, law-keepers in all branches of the military and in all law enforcement agencies and their families, and work your good and perfect will in their lives this day, so that they will lead spiritually fruitful, spiritually productive lives, and as happy, healthy, and long as you have appointed with your good and perfect will, free from malevolent interferences.
In Jesus’ mighty name, for His sake, and for His and your glory, we pray and give you thanks for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Amen, Amen, and Amen – In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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E. W. Jackson and “Prayer under Attack” …
“When the news broke of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, many Americans did what they have done throughout history. They offered their thoughts and prayers for the survivors and their families.
“To the surprise of many, that is no longer an acceptable response. According to Democrats, we must stop praying and “do something.” No matter that the facts are unknown. No matter that people are still mourning and victims are in shock. Politics and legislation are omnipotent – the answer to every human tragedy and need.
“Until recently it would have been unthinkable that anyone, especially prominent political leaders, would mock prayer. However, the sad reality is that disrespect for Christianity is one of the Left’s contributions to modern American culture. Elites in Washington, Hollywood, and their lesser acolytes in the “Twitterverse” and on Facebook openly dismissed prayer for the Las Vegas victims as an excuse for inaction.
“For Americans to see prayer as an avoidance of their responsibility bespeaks a rather inscrutable ignorance. Our Founding Fathers, together with the pilgrims and pioneers who came before them, and most of the colonists prayed and yet somehow built the greatest nation on earth at the same time.
“They were not a genetically superior breed. Their flaws and mistakes are well known, but they believed in the power of prayer, as did most in the society of their time.
“They also believed in providential guidance in answer to prayer. To put it another way, they believed that prayer was the prelude to more effective action, not a way of avoiding it. Even the slaves believed that they could pray their way out of bondage. They had no earthly power to bring it about, but, not to put too fine a point on it, their prayers were answered.
To read to the end, simply click on Logo…
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See my own book on my prayer life: Cloud by Day/Fire by Night
And prayers/sermons of Revival: Billy Graham Greater Los Angeles Revival
Also Jonathan Edwards and his classic: Sinners in the hands of an Angry God
Don’t miss: Prayers of National Repentance and Unshackled for Life: Freedom to Go ‘n Grow Together in Christ
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Soli Deo Gloria!