Day 14

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 14

Today we will be using some of the prayer guide prepared by Dave Butts, chair of the National Prayer Committee and author of "If My People 2012" prayer guide.

Scripture:

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." --Psalm 9:9

Thought for the day:

If there was ever a nation that understood what it means to be a refuge for the oppressed, it ought to be the United States. The inscription from Emma Lazarus on the base of the Statue of Liberty has been far more than words to millions. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

As a nation, by and large, comprised of immigrants and their descendants, many of whom were fleeing persecution or oppression in their own nations, we have been a land of refuge. The United States truly has been a stronghold in times of trouble for many.

Though this is a proud heritage and a significant part of who we are as a nation, we have always served as a refuge imperfectly. Some groups were more welcome than others. Some arrived and wondered if they were, in fact, better off here. We still struggle with what it means to open our national doors to others.

The good news is that the Lord is a perfect refuge, a perfect stronghold in times of trouble. He is a refuge, not only for individuals, but for a nation as well. When a nation turns to God, He will be a refuge for them. In the midst of the chaos of current events, whether it is financial collapse, terrorism, or war, how comforting to know that God wants to be a refuge for our nation.

Prayer:  by Dave Butts

"Father, I am so grateful that You are my refuge and stronghold. I come to You today longing more and more to experience Your Presence and to rest in Who You are. Show me more of what it means for You to be my refuge in the midst of the storms of this life.

What I ask for myself, I also ask for my nation. Help us not to trust in our finances, our technology, or our military might. Lord, You are our refuge, our stronghold in times of trouble. We come running to You, Lord! Forgive us of our self-sufficient spirit. We need You, Lord."

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray that today, our church and people meeting for worship across our country would understand what it means to humble ourselves and pray.
-Pray for all of us to seek God's face in worship today and to turn from our own ways to ways that please Him.

Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
Have you found that way to pray with others yet?  Church may be your best possibility.  Don't miss the blessing of praying with others for our country.

Day 13

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 13

For the last few days we have used Max Lucado's USA prayer for our prayer together.  For the next few days we will be using some of the prayer guide prepared by Dave Butts, chair of the National Prayer Committee and author of "If My People 2012" prayer guide.

Scripture:

"You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation."  Lamentations 5:19

Thought for the day:
  In December of 2000, I spent some time on top of the World Trade Center in New York City with some prayer warrior friends, praying over the city. I wouldn't have believed it then if you had told me that nine months later those towers would collapse. Something so big, solid, and sturdy should have lasted for many, many years. Yet we live in a world that, sometimes quickly and sometimes through the centuries, is disintegrating and passing away.
That's hard to hear when you speak of nations, especially if you happen to be praying for your own nation. Yet the testimony of history is that nations rise and nations fall. That certainly gives urgency to our prayers for America. But it also causes us to realize that the reign of the Lord lasts far beyond any individual nation. In times of turmoil and change, we hold fast to the truth of God's Word: His rule is not dependent upon any nation. His throne endures forever.  

Prayer:  by Dave Butts

Lord, what peace fills my heart as I consider Your eternal throne. In a world in which everything seems to change so fast, and so many things fade and fall, how good it is to know that You never change. Your throne, Your rule, continues from generation to generation. There will never be a generation for which You are not Lord, even if that generation does not acknowledge You.
Even as we pray for our beloved nation, we realize that there will come a time when it ceases to exist. My prayer, Lord, is that before that time, we would fulfill the purposes You have for us. Help us, Lord, to be a nation that brings honor and glory to Your name!

Prayer Points for Today:

- Pray for today's Viet Nam Veteran's Parade and gathering, that it would not just be a patriotic community event but that it would be a time of true spiritual healing.  Pray for opportunities for Christians to witness today.

- Use the memory verse of the week to guide your prayer in asking God what does it really mean for you to humble yourself in prayer, to seek His face and to turn from your wicked ways.


Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
Find a way to pray with others for our country.  Use your family time this weekend, join in prayer before a meal or take time with your spouse or a close friend to pray.

Day 12

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 12

Scripture:
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  James 4:10

Thought for the day: 
"True prayer is measured by weight, not by length.  A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length."  C. H. Spurgeon
Will you pray humbly today?  Not trying to impress or persuade God with your words but simply opening your soul to Him?

Prayer:  By Max Lucado

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have given us this promise: ”...if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

Unite us

Strengthen us

Appoint and anoint our next president

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

Prayer Points for Today:

- Pray for Saturday's Viet Nam Veteran's Parade and gathering, that God's healing hand would be upon all those who are hurting - physically, emotionally and spiritually.

- Keep asking God to show you how you can pray with others this week. Who will you be around this weekend that you have not been around earlier?  Is there a way to make an opportunity to pray with them?
- Humble yourself, ask God to show you what that means for you individually.  Do you already know?
- Pray that the Vice-Presidential Debate would be analyzed properly by the media and the voters.

Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
At least one time this week find a way to pray with other Christians for our nation.  Have you found a way yet?  If not think through opportunities this weekend.  Where could there be an opportunity to pray with someone you have not had earlier this week?

Day 11

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 11

Scripture:
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.
 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.  Psalm 27:8

Thought for the day: 
Do you fear that our country has gone too far, that we face God's judgment and his anger?  Do you wonder if your prayers can do anything in this kind of situation?  Can you listen deep in your heart and hear that still small voice say, "Seek my face."  In the middle of all or our sin and turning from him, to those who will listen, he still says, "Seek my face."  How will you do that today?

Prayer:  By Max Lucado

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have given us this promise: ”...if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

Unite us

Strengthen us

Appoint and anoint our next president

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

Prayer Points for Today:

- Pray for Saturday's Viet Nam Veteran's Parade and gathering, that it would be a time of honoring those whose sacrifice has been neglected and helping those who feel deep wounds.

- Keep asking God to show you how you can pray with others this week. Read the suggestions in the weekly challenge below.

- Seek God's face - ask Him to show you where he is working around you and what does that say about who he is.

- Pray that the Vice-Presidential Debate would be a time where both men have a chance to reveal who they are and that voters would have discernment that goes beyond the media's hype of the event.

Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
At least one time this week find a way to pray with other Christians for our nation - Why not take one of your meal time prayers with family or ask to pray with co-workers that you may share lunch with and voice a prayer for our country as you thank God for his provision and his mercy.

Day 10

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 10

Scripture:

Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.  1 Chronicles 16:11

Thought for the day: 
David has just brought the ark of the covenant into the tent he had prepared for it.  The Philistines no longer had it.  It was a great national victory.  But David called people to remember that this was something God had done, not them.  He called them to look at what the strength of God had done; he even called them further.  Seek His face.  What does this reveal about who God is and what he is able to do for our nation when we turn to Him to know Him?   Are we willing to do the same in our day?

Prayer:  By Max Lucado

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have given us this promise: ”...if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

Unite us

Strengthen us

Appoint and anoint our next president

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

Prayer Points for Today:
- Pray for Saturday's Viet Nam Veteran's Parade and gathering, that it would be a time of true healing for those who have long carried deep wounds and scars.
- Keep asking God to show you how you can pray with others this week.  Has He shown you something yet?  Are you willing to follow?
- Seek God's face - ask Him to reveal things from His word that you have not seen or understood.
Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
At least one time this week find a way to pray with other Christians for our nation - it is a humbling and scary thing to do if you have not done it before.  Start simple, who do you know that is a person of prayer?  Ask them to help you.  Take the initiative.  Find a way and a place and a time.

Day 9

Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 9

Scripture:

Do not leave Jerusalem but waith for the gift my Father promised...But you will receive power whern the Holy Spirit comes on you...  Acts 1:4, 8

Thought for the day: 

"Since the days of Pentecost, has the whole church ever put aside every other work and waited upon him for ten days, that the Spirit's power might be manifested?  We give too much attention to method and machinery and resources, and too little to the source of power."  J. Hudson Taylor

Prayer:  By Max Lucado

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have given us this promise: ”...if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

Unite us

Strengthen us

Appoint and anoint our next president

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

Prayer Points for Today:
- Thank God that have others joining you in prayer all across our country.
- Ask God to show you how you can pray with others this week.
- Seek God's face in asking him to bring more Christians into the effort of praying for our country.


Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
At least one time this week find a way to pray with other Christians for our nation - at home, at work, at school but especially with others at church.  Take the initiative.  Find a way and a place and a time.

Day 8

Thanks for taking the time to pray for our country.  Last week we basically prayed about out praying, this week we will use some of the other 40 days of prayer efforts as we at Northside join with other Christians across our country in prayer.  Today we will see the challenge and prayer effort that Max Lucado has put together and use his "USA" prayer for much of this week.  Tim


Forty Days of Prayer for Our Country- Day 8

Scripture:

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.  Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG)

Thought for the day:

Dear Friend,

In the gym, the church parking lot, Starbucks—everywhere I go, I hear the same question: “What can I do about the condition of our country?” Declining moral standards. Economic turmoil. Seemingly endless bickering and posturing of our leaders. More than ever before, citizens are concerned about the future of our nation. The presidential election is drawing near and we wonder, “What can I do?”  Here is the answer: pray. During times of national concern, our first and foremost task is prayer.

Max Lucado

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

You have given us this promise: ”...if my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

Unite us

Strengthen us

Appoint and anoint our next president

In the name of Christ we pray,

Amen

Prayer Points for Today:
- Thank God that you are not going through this process alone, there are many others joining you.
- Ask God to show you how you can be a part of a movement to Christians from all walks of life, praying for our country
- Seek God's guidance about a way you can get with other Christians and pray for our country.


Memory Verse for the Week:
If my people, who are called by my name, will 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.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Challenge for the Week
Find a way to pray with other Christians for our nation - at home, at work, at school but especially with others at church.  Take the initiative.  Find a way and a place and a time.