PRAYER FOR THE NATION
“Quality of Life Series”
9/2/03 + 9/16/03 4/20/06
LEADER READ: From The Presidential Prayer Team Devotional book: pp. 9-11
A new chapter is being written in the history of the United States of America. People are experiencing a strong sense of unity and purpose. The Presidential Prayer Team is a part of that, encouraging Americans to unite further through the practice of daily prayer for the President, for the Cabinet, and for other leaders of our nation. More than two million people already have made that commitment, and this nonpolitical effort will continue regardless of two is elected to the presidency, because we know the strength and courage that comes from being a nation that prays.
No one can estimate the influence this mighty prayer effort has had on our President and our country, but the universal enthusiasm for this spiritual movement is a testimony to the faith and character of the American people.
The Presidential Prayer Team started simply, with one person, just as so many of this nation’s great movements have begun. Sculptor and inventor William hunter minted a special coin and gave it away to friends and associates as a reminder to uphold our President in prayer. They soon requested more to pass along to others. Over time, he envisioned a nationwide prayer effort for the President. Dr. Cornell “Corkie” Haan, a national facilitator with Mission America, joined Hunter in this founding effort of The Presidential Prayer Team.
They planned to launch the effort in November of 2001. Then the September 11th terrorist attacks occurred, and it became clear that this prayer effort was primed by God to be ready for such a time. The staff worked around the clock to complete the website and all of the other pieces of the organizational puzzle within days. Positive response to the effort was immediate and overwhelming, as tens of thousands of people began signing up daily via the Internet and telephone.
And the wave of support is still growing.
Leaders today, especially the President of the United States, confront challenges the nation’s founders never could have imagined. Our leaders cannot rely on human wisdom alone as they cope with the myriad complexities of the twenty-first century. They must connect with the holy Source of supernatural wisdom. They must pray.
And our leaders can’t carry this burden alone. If we are truly patriotic – and faithful – we must pray, too.
As you read this devotional, may you realize anew the power of your prayers. The President, Vice President, Cabinet, and other leaders make decisions that influence every level o four lives – from what local services are available to what issues are discussed on the national agenda – so praying for them is essential. Their decisions impact our homes, our communities, our nation, and our world. We must pray that their decisions benefit this country and, most of all, God’s Kingdom.
HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE # 1
The Presidential Prayer Team 9/1/03
"Our aim is not 'success' the way the world
measures it but to please Christ by the way you tackle work. Work is an act of
worship to a Savior."
John White, 20th Century
Christian author
HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The General’s Prayer”
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=37067&ContributorID=4805
During the dark days of the American
Revolution, when the Continental Army had experienced several setbacks, a farmer
who lived near the battlefield approached Washington’s camp unheard. Suddenly
his ears caught an earnest voice raised in agonizing prayer. On coming nearer he
saw it was the great General, down on his knees in the snow, his cheeks wet with
tears. He was asking God for assistance and guidance. The farmer crept away and
returned home. He said to his family, “Its going to be all right. We are going
to win!” “What makes you think so?” his wife asked. “Well,” said the farmer, “I
heard General Washington pray out in the woods today—such fervent prayer I have
never heard. And God will surely hear and answer that kind of praying.”
And the farmer was right! It happened because Washington put his hope in God
HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 23:11-12 But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #3
“Some give time, some give money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life’s blood. But everyone has something to give.”
Barbara Bush
HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Keep Them in Your Prayers” By Peter Kennedy
http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon2a/keep_them_in_your_prayers.htm
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers." –
1 Thessalonians 1:2
In the late afternoon of February 26, 1968, James Stegalls found himself in the
middle of a firefight in Viet Nam. Suddenly he heard the unmistakable sound of a
rocket coming straight toward him. A friend shoved him into a foxhole and he
braced for the explosion, but there was only a surreal silence. The fuse had
malfunctioned. For five hours Stegalls knelt in the pit as the battle raged. He
fingered an unread Gideon's New Testament in his shirt pocket. Shaking
uncontrollably, he began reading Matthew. It wasn't until he got to Matthew
18:19-20 that he felt a peace and he knew things would be all right. Years after
returning from home, he visited his grandmother Harris. She recounted how one
night she feared for him and she prayed all night for his life. She read Matthew
18:19-20: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything
you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or
three come together in my name, there am I with them." She then had called her
Sunday school teacher and together they prayed for James. Mrs. Harris then
opened her Bible and showed James the date: February 26, 1968.
Prayer is a powerful gift the Lord has given to us. Is there someone on your
heart right now? Today in prayer, lift that person to the Lord and pray that
they may draw closer to Him.
"Pray as if everything depended upon your prayer." - William Booth
God's Word: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective." - James 5:16
HAVE SOMEONE READ: PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO SERVE
America Kneels to Pray p. 22
Dear Lord, I pray for those who serve our nation. Guide them, Father, and protect them. And create in me a servant’s heart. Let me follow in the footsteps of Your Son Jesus who taught us by example that to be great in Your eyes, Lord, is to serve others humbly, faithfully, and lovingly. AMEN
LEADER: WE PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS
HAVE SOMEONE READ: I Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
HAVE SOMEONE READ: Peace and war statistics
Moody Bible Institute, Today In The Word, June, 1988, p.33.
“The Personnel Journal reported this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made--and broken.”
HAVE SOMEONE READ: A Picture of Peace
Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.
The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled.
As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.
A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?
A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.
A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.
HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #11 (p.33)
“God loves you and want you to experience peace and life – abundant and eternal.”
Billy Graham
LEADER: In I Corinthians 7:15 it says….. “God has called us to peace.”
HAVE SOMEONE READ: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
When I meditated on the word guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the
word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with
the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person relaxes and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with
the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by
pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body,
moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and
gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word
guidance. When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i." God, "u"
and "I" dance.
God, you and I dance. This statement is what guidance means to me. As I lowered
my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once
again, I became willing to let God lead.
HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #17 (p. 37)
“God uses ordinary people who are obedient to Him to do extraordinary things.”
John Maxwell
HAVE SOMEONE READ: PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE
HAVE SOMEONE READ: PRAYER FOR BLESSINGS AND GRACE
HAVE SOMEONE READ: From: “Prayer Patrol” Our Daily Bread 12/9/97
Commit to pray and intercede--
The battle's strong and great's the need;
And this one truth can't be ignored:
Our only help comes from the Lord. --Sper
LEADER: God's Word contains our marching orders for being on prayer patrol. Some of them are:
HAVE SOMEONE READ:
I Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing;
1. Pray without ceasing.
Romans 12:12
rejoicing in hope,) persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
2. Continue steadfastly in prayer.
Psalm 55:17
Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.
3. Pray morning, noon, and night
Luke 18:1
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart
4. Pray always and do not get discouraged
HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #29
Pray often; for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan. John Bunyan
HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #30
“Bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”
George Washington
LEADER: Robert E. Lee said,
“Knowing that intercessory prayer is our mightiest weapon and the supreme call for all Christians today, I pleadingly urge our people everywhere to pray. Believing that prayer is the greatest contribution that our people can make in this critical hour, I humbly urge that we take time to pray—to really pray. Let there be prayer at sunup, at noonday, at sundown, at midnight—all through the day. Let us all pray for our children, our youth, our aged, our pastors, our homes. Let us pray for our churches. Let us pray for ourselves, that we may not lose the word ‘concern’ out of our Christian vocabulary. Let us pray for our nation. Let us pray for those who have never known Jesus Christ and redeeming love, for moral forces everywhere, for our national leaders. Let prayer be our passion. Let prayer be our practice.”
QUOTE # 1
"Our aim is not 'success'
the way the world measures it but to please Christ by the way you tackle work.
Work is an act of worship to a Savior."
John White, 20th Century
Christian author
II Chronicles 7:14
“The General’s Prayer”
During the dark days of the
American Revolution, when the Continental Army had experienced several setbacks,
a farmer who lived near the battlefield approached Washington’s camp unheard.
Suddenly his ears caught an earnest voice raised in agonizing prayer. On coming
nearer he saw it was the great General, down on his knees in the snow, his
cheeks wet with tears. He was asking God for assistance and guidance. The farmer
crept away and returned home. He said to his family, “Its going to be all right.
We are going to win!” “What makes you think so?” his wife asked. “Well,” said
the farmer, “I heard General Washington pray out in the woods today—such fervent
prayer I have never heard. And God will surely hear and answer that kind of
praying.”
And the farmer was right! It happened because Washington put his hope in God
Matthew 23:11-12
QUOTE #3
“Some give time, some give money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life’s blood. But everyone has something to give.”
Barbara Bush
PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO SERVE
Dear Lord, I pray for those who serve our nation. Guide them, Father, and protect them. And create in me a servant’s heart. Let me follow in the footsteps of Your Son Jesus who taught us by example that to be great in Your eyes, Lord, is to serve others humbly, faithfully, and lovingly. AMEN
“Keep Them in Your Prayers”
"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers." –
1 Thessalonians 1:2
In the late afternoon of February 26, 1968, James Stegalls found himself in the
middle of a firefight in Viet Nam. Suddenly he heard the unmistakable sound of a
rocket coming straight toward him. A friend shoved him into a foxhole and he
braced for the explosion, but there was only a surreal silence. The fuse had
malfunctioned. For five hours Stegalls knelt in the pit as the battle raged. He
fingered an unread Gideon's New Testament in his shirt pocket. Shaking
uncontrollably, he began reading Matthew. It wasn't until he got to Matthew
18:19-20 that he felt a peace and he knew things would be all right. Years after
returning from home, he visited his grandmother Harris. She recounted how one
night she feared for him and she prayed all night for his life. She read Matthew
18:19-20: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything
you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or
three come together in my name, there am I with them." She then had called her
Sunday school teacher and together they prayed for James. Mrs. Harris then
opened her Bible and showed James the date: February 26, 1968.
Prayer is a powerful gift the Lord has given to us. Is there someone on your
heart right now? Today in prayer, lift that person to the Lord and pray that
they may draw closer to Him.
"Pray as if everything depended upon your prayer." - William Booth
God's Word: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other
so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective." - James 5:16
I Timothy 2:1-2
Peace and war statistics
“The Personnel Journal reported this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made--and broken.”
QUOTE #11
“God loves you and want you to experience peace and life – abundant and eternal.”
Billy Graham
A Picture of Peace
Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.
The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled.
As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd.
A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?
A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.
A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil.