Day 39

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 39

Scripture:

Here then is my charge: First, supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings should be made on behalf of all men: for kings and rulers in positions of responsibility, so that our common life may be lived in peace and quiet, with a proper sense of God and of our responsibility to him for what we do with our lives.   In the sight of God our savior this is undoubtedly the right thing to pray for; for his purpose is that all men should be saved and come to realize the truth. And that is, that there is only one God, and only one intermediary between God and men, Jesus Christ the man. 1Timothy 2:1-5 (Phillips)

Prayer: 

Lord, when Paul wrote these verses to Timothy on how to pray, he was telling the church to pray for those that they had not elected.  Teach us how to apply this instruction in our day for those we have had a voice in electing.
Prayer Point for Today:
- Pray for those who have been elected nationally, on the state level and on the local or regional level by using Paul's instruction to Timothy.  (Tomorrow we will take this a step further).

Memory Verse for the Week:
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.  Psalm 47:8

Challenge:  Read Dr. Jim Denison's commentary from yesterday.

We the Purple

Now that President Obama has been reelected, I'd like to offer some reflections on [the] election.  The Washington Post called the day our "civic holiday." Whether your candidate won or lost, what America accomplished Tuesday is truly remarkable.

Our country is the world's oldest democracy.  Today, nearly three-quarters of the world's nations elect their heads of state through some kind of democratic process, but it wasn't always so.  The vast majority of people in human history had no opportunity to do what you and I did yesterday.  Many still cannot.

I have been to Cuba seven times; its Communist Party must approve all candidates and controls all elections.  I was in Beijing two years ago; the world's most populous nation has never held free elections for its national leaders (except for a brief period in the 1920s).  Many of the countries that make headlines today, including Iran and much of the Middle East, have no free elections for their heads of state.

By contrast, we held [our] election with decorum.  Republicans are not mounting a coup; Gov. Romney has conceded rather than contesting the results.  Such behavior places America in the distinct minority of nations in world history.

Now that our election has been decided, how do we move forward?

As of today, we are no longer red or blue states—combining the two colors, we are now purple ("We the purple," to rephrase the Constitution).  Unity is possible without unanimity, a fact proven by Christians when we gather for worship every seven days.  Democrats, Republicans, and Independents share space in our sanctuaries.  If we can find fellowship on the weekend, we can find it during the week.

I pledge to pray every day for President Obama, in obedience to Scripture: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).  I pledge to work for spiritual awakening and moral renewal in this nation I love.  And I pledge my highest allegiance not to any president but to our King.

I recently read the autobiography of Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits.  When the group held its first vote for the leader of their order, Ignatius was the unanimous choice of the members, with a single exception—Ignatius voted for "whoever gets the most votes."  That's who gets my vote this morning.

What about yours?

Day 38

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 38

"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and for his orphans, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."  Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865

Lincoln spoke those words in the aftermath of the Civil War.  It is strange how appropriate those words still are after a contentious election.

Scripture:

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.  Romans 13:1,7

Prayer: 
Lord we believe that you still reign over the nations, now bind our divisions because we confess we are a divided people this day.  Many are happy with this election, many are unhappy.  We have many disagreements.  Help all of us who call upon your name to be brought to unity in calling upon you to rule in our land and in our hearts.  We pray Lord, that we may be the messengers of your peace in our nation and among the nations.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray for our president and his advisors.  Pray for the divisions we face as a country and the problems we must address together regardless of how we voted.
- Pray for President Obama and the difficulties he faces and the challenges that remain in our nation's future.
- Ask God to bring a spiritual revival to our nation that would begin in the churches of America and spread to those who are not now a part of the body of Christ.

Memory Verse for the Week:

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.  Psalm 47:8

Day 37

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 37
Election Day!  Today I want us to read a post that Janet Denison, wife of Dr. Jim Denison put together.  (Remember, we will keep on praying after the election for a few days, so look for a post tomorrow).

Frank Tanabe has become an internet sensation - and he should be!  Mr. Tanabe, a decorated World War II veteran, made news at the age of 93 - because he wanted to stay alive long enough to cast his vote in this year's election.  He was a young man when his family lost all they had worked for and were placed in an internment camp, simply because they were of Japanese descent.  Frank was in that camp when he signed enlistment papers and entered the war.  He spoke fluent Japanese and English and was used as an interrogator in the war.  He was diagnosed with liver cancer and fought a different kind of war for the last months of his life.  He exercised in his bed, trying to stay alive long enough for his ballot to arrive in the mail.  One of the last things Frank Tanabe did before his death, was vote.  He had never missed voting in an election and he didn't miss this year's either.  Technically, because he died before the election date, his vote isn't supposed to count...but the news that surrounds this story means his vote counts more than he could ever have imagined.  I am going to think about Mr. Tanabe when I head out to vote.  More than any other election in my lifetime, I feel that my vote matters.  So does yours.This election appears to be a nail-biter.  It is hard to say who is going to win.  But the sobering thought is, no matter who wins, half of our nation will agree and half will disagree with the decision.  Blue, red, or undecided - your vote counts and your opinion matters.  Christian or non-Christian, your demeanor and words matter as well.  Our country is divided, and much of the division is a result of differing values.  We will have named a president in a week - but we will also show the world a very ununited United States.  What are God's answers to division and differing values?2 Chronicles 30:12 -  "Also in Judah, the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of God."  When God is present and at work among people, his hand of power provides unity.  But God is present and at work when those "kings" have issued orders that follow his word.Romans 15:4-6 - "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope.  May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves, as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."   Our "hope" is not in an elected official, as important as that person is.  Our hope is in the God of the universe who will be sovereign regardless of the man in an oval office.  Our unity is not going to be found in the president we choose to follow.  Unity will be found as we collectively follow Jesus Christ.  And our calling is not so much to influence an election and call attention to a candidate - it is to make certain that our hearts and our mouths glorify God, the father of our Lord Jesus. 

I want my candidate to win next week.  I think this election is incredibly significant.  I will remember Frank Tanabe who stayed alive because he thought voting was that important. I will vote my convictions - but then I pray that my convictions will show the world who is truly the sovereign power in this world.  To close, think on these words by George MacDonald this week.  He said, "Division has done more to hide Christ from the view of men than all the infidelity that has ever been spoken."  May all of us register our vote and then, in unity, give glory to the God of the universe, forever sovereign over the affairs of this world.

Prayer: 
Father thank you for the freedom we have in this nation to vote on those who will lead us.  What a great priviledge and responsibility.  Help us to use it wisely.  Give us strength to remember that you are on your throne.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray for a clear and fair election.
- Turn the memory verse below into a personal prayer for you and for our country today.
Memory Verse for the Week:

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.  Psalm 47:8

Day 36

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 36
Tomorrow is a big day in the life of our country.  But no matter how much things may change or no matter how much they may remain the same, we can know that God has not changed nor has his rule over the nations.  This week's memory verse is short and sweet and to that point.  Let it be what we focus on today.

Scripture:

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.  Psalm 47:8

Prayer: 
Unchanging God, help us to always know that you reign over all.  No matter what happens, you are still on your holy throne, your power, your might, your plan for me and my country have not changed.  Help me to walk in faith of your unchanging love for us and to be prepared for the outcome of this election.  Give me a will and strength to keep on praying even after the election is over.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray for the election process, that it would go correctly in this very tight presidential election.  Pray for election officials and those who will be working at the polls.
- Ask God to guide people as they vote tomorrow and to prepare our future leaders for the tasks ahead of them.

Memory Verse for the Week:

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.  Psalm 47:8

Challenge:
Prayerfully consider setting aside a time to fast and pray between now and the election.  It can be a day or it can be just a meal but let me encourage you to take that time or an extra time to pray in the next few days.

Day 35

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 35

Today's thoughts come again from Dr. Jim Denison and a recent commentary on "Is Hurricane Sandy God's Judgment?"

Why has Hurricane Sandy been so severe?  Is this God's judgment against the Northeast, as some are claiming, or does the storm have a more natural explanation?

Meteorologists say that "Frankenstorm" is the combination of a hurricane that collided with a winter storm, a cold front, and high tides from a full moon.  The resulting hybrid storm has affected more than 60 million people. 

Before we decide that the hurricane is God's judgment on the Northeast, we might consider those it has already affected.  I've been to Cuba six times and find the believers there among the strongest on earth.  More than a million Cubans have come to Christ in the last decade.  Yet Hurricane Sandy killed at least 11 Cubans and left thousands homeless.  One of the pastors on the island called our office yesterday.  He wept as he described the worst devastation he has seen in his lifetime.  Is the hurricane God's judgment on these suffering people?

In my view, we should be slow to attribute natural events to supernatural causes.  As the result of Adam and Eve's sin, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time" (Romans 8:22).  In the Garden of Eden there would have been no hurricanes or earthquakes.  God clearly caused Noah's Flood and the plagues in Egypt, but most of the natural disasters we experience are the result of living in a fallen world.

While the Fall caused Hurricane Sandy, God stands ready to redeem all he allows.  When Jesus' disciples were battling a storm of their own, their Master walked on wind-tossed waves to their battered boat (Matthew 14:22-25).  When the winds died down, "Those who were in the boat worshiped him saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (v. 33).

Today Jesus' followers are his hands and feet (1 Corinthians 12:27).  Hurricane Sandy is our opportunity to go to those in the storm, proving the relevance of our faith by our compassion.  How will you pray for those affected by this disaster?  How will you give money and time to relief efforts?  Who will see God's love in yours?Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, help us not to be quick to believe you are judging those in a catastrophe that does not directly impact us.  We do not want to miss a sign of your judgment but we don't want to express something that you have not expressed either.  Father, show us your truth and help us to tell your truth to hurting and lost people.  In Jesus' name,  Amen.

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray for churches in the North East today.  It is one of the most unchurched places in our country.  Pray that they may reach out and show God's love in a great time of stress and that hurting and lost people would respond.
- Pray for impacted states as they try to provide for people's needs and prepare for an election.

Memory Verse for the Week:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

Challenge:
Prayerfully consider setting aside a time to fast and pray between now and the election.  It can be a day or it can be just a meal but let me encourage you to take that time or an extra time to pray in the next few days.

Day 34

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 34
Today, we finish praying through our ballot.

Scripture:

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans
    with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
    I will question you,
    and you shall answer me.

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand."  Job 38:1-3

So often in times of crisis or difficulty, we come to God with questions - like Job.  And sometimes, like Job, God brings questions back to us that remind us how big his plan for us really is and how much more there is to what is going on that what we see right now.  We must answer, like Job, 'I don't understand.'  We may not be able to find answers, but we can always know that God is with us and he has a plan.  We can trust him without knowing the plan fully.   Tim


Praying through the Ballot:
President/Vice-President
Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan
Barack Obama/Joe Biden
Gary Johnson/Jim Gray
Jill Stein/Chen Honkala

Justice, 13^th Court of Appeals District, Place 2

Tom Greenwell

Nora Longoria

                                       

Justice, 13^th Court of Appeals District, Place 4

Bradford M. Condit

Nelda Vidaurri Rodriguez

Justice, 13^th Court of Appeals District, Place 5

Doug Norman     

Gina M. Benavides

District Judge, 24^th Judicial District

Jack W. Marr

Sandra McKenzie

Prayer: 

Lord, there is so much that I do not know about you and your plan for us, but God help me to trust what you have revealed to us about yourself.  You have given us enough to believe and trust you.  There is so much we do not know about these people that we vote for, so much that we do not yet see, so help us to seek you with all our heart and know that you will be found.

 
Prayer Points for Today:
- Ask the Father  to reveal his will and his ways to use every day, but especially during this election.
- Pray about what it truly means for you to seek God with all your heart today.
- Pray for those listed above and on the ballot - from the national level to the local level - that they would seek God.

Memory Verse for the Week:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

Challenge:
Prayerfully consider setting aside a time to fast and pray between now and the election.  It can be a day or it can be just a meal but let me encourage you to take that time or an extra time to pray in the next few days.

Day 33

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 33
We continue to pray today through the ballot and for the massive clean up and recovery efforts along the East coast.

Scripture:
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.   When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”   1 Kings 19:11-13

At this point in the recovery process, many people who have suffered a loss are questioning, seeking, searching for something more.  Pray that they, like Elijah, will hear that still small voice that speaks to them and shows them something more than what they see and feel right now.  Pray for those people and the Christians who are working with them right now.

Praying through the Ballot:

President/Vice-President
Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan
Barack Obama/Joe Biden
Gary Johnson/Jim Gray
Jill Stein/Chen Honkala

Member, State Board of Education, District 2

Laurie J. Turner

Ruben Cortez,  Jr.

Lenard Nelson

State Senator, District 18

Glenn Hegar     

State Representative, District 30

Geanie W. Morrison       

Alex Hernandez, Jr.

Chief Justice, 13^th Court of Appeals District

Roy Valdez

Prayer: 
Lord, we need to hear that still, small voice that speaks clearly to us.  Help us to see where you are and where you are not in the chaos that is going on around us in this world.  Help these that we vote for to hear your voice as well.   In Jesus' name, Amen.

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray for those who are still undecided today about their responsibility to vote.
- Ask God to speak clearly to those who are discouraged and disheartened in our country about where our real source of help comes from.
-Thank God that he comes to us in our time of need and speaks to us above the wind and fire and shaking earth.

Memory Verse for the Week:
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

Challenge:
Prayerfully consider setting aside a time to fast and pray between now and the election.  It can be a day or it can be just a meal but let me encourage you to take that time or an extra time to pray in the next few days.