Categories
Daily Post

Prayer From the Father

Today is the National Day of Prayer, and to commend that event, how about a prayer attributed to the father of this nation, George Washington.  Somehow this prayer still feels like something all of us could pray every day.

 

O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul….

Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.

–An undated prayer from Washington’s prayer journal, Mount Vernon

Categories
Daily Post

National Day of Prayer

It’s the National Day of Prayer.  In continuing Paul’s urging in First Thessalonians, lets make sure we “pray continually” and participate in the day in  some form or fashion.  As believers this is quite an honor and privilege and a source of great encouragement.  Make sure you work in a little extra moment of prayer today – and pray about this nation and the people you come in contact with each day. Oh, and also do it while you are full of hope and joy!

 

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18New International Version (NIV)

 

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV

And don’t forget the rewards from turning over things is praying.  The payback when we leave our anxieties with the Christ is tremendous.

 

 6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message (MSG)

 

I think today may be a good day to reap some of those, don’t you?