A Call To Pray
First of all, then, I urge that supplication, prayers, intercession, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV
Our family just returned from an RV trip to Washington, D.C. We have been planning this trip for over a year, believing it was important to show our children the center of American government, as well as visit some places we have studied in depth in our homeschool history studies. The sites we visited brought to life so much of what my children have learned over the last few years.
It was inspiring to watch my oldest child be moved to tears at Arlington National Cemetery. She, for the first time, visually saw the sacrifices so many have made to protect and defend our country. My son, who had spent much of this past semester in co-op researching the assassinations of Kennedy and Lincoln, was awe struck visiting Kennedy’s grave and Lincoln’s memorial as well Ford’s Theater and the Peterson House. My youngest was impressed with actually walking through halls of the White House and seeing rooms that have been a part of American culture for so long. All three children were impressed with Mount Vernon and the tour of Washington’s beloved mansion. We walked the halls of the Supreme Court talking about some of the court decisions we studied in Government. We visited the Library of Congress. My husband and I loved seeing the children’s faces light up as they saw the library from National Treasure. We toured the Capital and learned about the Rotunda and the never used tomb for George Washington.
Washington, D.C. was very humbling to visit. On TV and in books, it seems larger than life. Yet, the laws and decisions made in D.C. by Congress, the President and the Supreme Court have a direct effect on our everyday life. The streets and sites of Washington, D.C. being before me in present time caused my family and I to pause to evaluate how much this city means and how far from God’s design it has drifted.
Ironically, we were in Washington, D.C. during the National Day of Prayer. That really caused us as a family to think about how we can pray more specifically for our nation. I admit, I haven’t been as faithful to pray for our President, or for Congress or the Courts. Sure, when something high profile hits the news, I’ll pause and ask for prayer and guidance for our leaders. Yet, on a regular basis, I haven’t been as faithful.
The National Day of Prayer webpage has a host of information to help guide and direct individuals and families on how to pray for our country. I want to highlight just a few ideas I found helpful to being a renewed focus on praying for our nation:
• Pray for the salvation of leaders
• Pray for conviction of sin
• Pray that the lead with a clear conscience
• Pray for leaders to respect one another
• Pray they are surrounded by godly counsel
• Pray they are faithful to their families and children
• Pray they unite with a local church congregation
• Pray they remain pure from drunkenness, debauchery and pornography
• Pray they are honest and ethical in the office and in their personal life
• Pray for teachable spirits
• Pray they seek godly counsel when needed
• Pray they desire honesty, integrity and love
• Pray they are shielded from false religions and ideologies
• Pray they are presented with a Biblical worldview
• Pray they are humble and meek and desire such
• Pray they understand they will be held accountable to God
This is such a simple way to begin to pray for our nation. We really are a nation marred by triumph and tragedy. Many men and women in leadership before earnestly sought to please the Lord while many others did not. What we see today in our nation is the result of turning from God’s mandates and embracing a man focused worldview.
I don’t know what the future will bring. Some days, our country looks to be in deep despair. Yet, this visit to Washington, D.C. sparked a renewed desire to pray fervently for the country I love. It truly was an amazing trip and I am forever grateful we had the opportunity to go and explore our nation’s capital. Still, I don’t want my responsibility as a Christian to go by the wayside any longer. I am committing to a renewed focus on praying for our President, future President, the election, our leaders and our nation as a whole. Will you join me?
In Christ Alone,
Dana
Powerful message about prayer for the country.
Wonderful reminder to pray for our country at all times.
A very specific list. Thank you.
Dana, it sounds like you and your family had an amazing trip. That’s wonderful! Thanks for the reminder to pray and the helpful tools.
I recently read two great historical novels – one about the wife of Alexander Hamilton, My Dear Hamilton; and the other about the daughter of Thomas Jefferson, American’s First Daughter. There is a lot of history in the books, and helpful explanations at the end concerning what his historical and what is fictional. I highly recommend them!