It's Time to Pray

I don’t think we can even begin to imagine the blessings that God would be willing to pour out upon a people who truly seek Him and pray for His will to be done. The Bible is loaded with prayer promises, such as Jesus taught: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7). 

And since God is all-wise, all-powerful, loving, faithful, merciful and gracious, His will in every situation is always for the best – for our good and for His glory.  

So why is it that we don’t pray more persistently and more passionately for His will to be done? I am convinced that individual lives, families, communities, states and nations would be much stronger and healthier if we would call upon the name of the Lord. Perhaps we’re facing such perilous times because we have not asked God for help. 

Rev. Billy Graham once said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” 

It’s time to start asking. Let me invite you to come out and pray on Thursday, May 1, at 12:00 noon on the west lawn of the Menard County Courthouse for the National Day of Prayer. Let us call upon the Lord, asking for His help and healing. 

I want to share with you a prayer written by Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham and 2014 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. May these words reflect our own hearts’ desire for our Father’s will to be done: 

Lord of the Universe. Lord of this planet. Lord of the nations. Lord of our hearts. 

On this National Day of Prayer, we look to You…

In the darkness, You are our Light. 

In the storm, You are our Anchor. 

In our weakness, You are our Strength. 

In our grief, You are our Comfort. 

In our despair, You are our Hope. 

In our confusion, You are our Wisdom. 

In time of terrorism, You are our Shield. 

In time of war, You are our Peace. 

In times of uncertainty, You are the Rock on which we stand. 

We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel: 

“O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against You, and done wrong. We have turned away from Your commands and principles. We have turned away from You.” 

Yet You have promised in 2 Chronicles 7, that if we–a people identified with You–would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You would hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land. 

So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives. We choose to acknowledge our own sin–our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even rejection of You. This day we choose to repent. 

In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ, in keeping with all Your righteous acts and according to Your promise, turn away Your anger and Your wrath from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions offered to You on this National Day of Prayer, as we give You our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see. We do not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. 

For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land. 

We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from Your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with You through His own blood shed on the Cross. Amen.