National Day of Prayer – Love One Another

National Day of Prayer - Love One Another

The National Day of Prayer is an annual event. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by Harry Truman that the President of the U.S. was to set aside an appropriate day each year, other than Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer. In 1988 the law was amended and signed by Ronald Reagan designating the first Thursday in May as the day of observance.


The stated mission of the National Day of Prayer is “to mobilize unified public prayer for America”. Yes, God hears our individual voices; our concerns, our needs, our praise. But calling out to God in unity is a special thing. Gathering together to call out to God for national concerns has its roots in the Old Testament when the nation of Israel would gather to hear God’s word, to praise Him, to cry out in humility, in repentance and at times in desperation for the condition of their nation. In our own nation, when the first thirteen continents were considering their declaration of independence from England, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation.


Over history, there have been times when God’s people have forgotten to pray. Times of prosperity when it hasn’t seemed necessary. Times of progress when it seemed “old school” and times of suffering when people wondered if God was even listening. Maybe we are struggling to pray today. But we wouldn’t be the first to struggle with prayer. In the Gospel of Luke we hear the words of a disciple ask Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And Jesus provided that guidance as he taught us through the words of “Our Father…”


I would encourage all of you to seek out our local National Day of Prayer observance which will be held at the Sparrow’s Nest located at the Abbey at 17304 Havenwood Rd between Tomah and Sparta on May 2nd. There’ll be prayer all day long with a local gathering beginning at 5pm. If you can’t attend, perhaps you could gather together with a group of friends, as a family or even individually, and ask God to forgive us, to protect us and to guide us as we move forward in faith.


And I hope that prayer becomes a part of your everyday life. When the students ask me how to pray, I just tell them to open their hearts and talk to Jesus just like they’d talk with their best friend. Don’t make prayer something that’s uncomfortable. It’s a conversation with God. It’s that internal spirit that helps us see ourselves as we really are and see God, as He really is. It helps direct our actions, our words and even our thoughts.
When we invite God into our lives, He walks in and He even brings gifts; gifts of joy, patience, resilience and of course love. And when the devil continues to put obstacles in your way, turn it all over to Jesus and He’ll get you through. Starting a life of prayer today I assure you will make you happier, healthier and more hopeful than you’ve ever been.


The theme for this years National Day of Prayer is “Love one another.” That kind of says it all.


In Jesus name,
Pastor Scott

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