'Pray for America' on National Day of Prayer
Weekly column by Jack Hall, pastor of First Baptist Church in Shawneetown
National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 4. It seems to me that the Day of Prayer becomes more and more important with every passing year. So this week I want to just talk to you about prayer, using the example of one of the greatest prayers found in the Bible. It is the prayer of Daniel that he prayed in Daniel 9. Does anyone want to argue about the prayer life of Daniel.? If you do, just check out the book that has his name. Think about three guidelines with me.
Daniel knew the basis of prayer. One of the most difficult things for most of us to learn is that our relationship with God is not based on performance. It's a lesson that I have to learn over and over. But look what Daniel says in this prayer: "O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands." (Daniel 1:4)
Yes, obedience is a part of it, but it is first and foremost a covenant of love.
God's promises for blessing and His answers to prayer come from the goodness of His heart. Obedience is the result of this relationship of love, but His promises to us are fulfilled because of the outpouring of the love He offers to us.
Daniel also knew the necessity of confessing all sin. Look again at the words of his prayer: "O Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power. But we have sinned and are full of wickedness." (Daniel 9:15)
Yes, we are each to confess our personal sin. However, we are also to confess the sins of all with whom we are associated. Daniel and his people were in captivity because of their rebellion against God and idolatry. Daniel was one of the most righteous people of his generation. Still, he prayed for forgiveness because he lived among a community of sinners.
There is the purpose for having a National Day of Prayer. America also has a great history of sin and rebellion against God. God's people today, just like Daniel, need to pray, confessing the sins of our nation.
Daniel knew the only reason he had any right to come to God with his prayers. He said: "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy." (Daniel 9:18)
God showed mercy to Adam and Eve by covering their sin and promising a new righteous descendent. He showed mercy to all of humanity by sparing Noah's family from the flood. He showed mercy to Israel by delivering them from Egypt, to David for his sin, and to the world through a savior. Even when God judges, it is for the purpose of redemption.
It goes without saying that America can only plead for forgiveness, based on the mercy of God. It is time we joined together. following the example of Daniel. asking God to be merciful to us and forgive our sin.
That's why we need to come together on National Day of Prayer and join hundreds of thousands in humbling ourselves before a merciful God.
So, will you join us at noon Thursday, May 4, at First Baptist Church in Shawneetown as we pray for America?