Number 49: May 4, 2006
 
May 4th is the National Day of Prayer. Special days of prayer have been held throughout America’s history. In 1775 the Continental Congress called for prayer for the birth of our nation. Abraham Lincoln called for a day of prayer in 1863 during the height of this nation’s Civil War. Congress established the annual observance of a National Day of Prayer in 1952. It is celebrated on the first Thursday in May. It is a time for all citizens to pray for our nation and its leadership.
 
A spokesman for the National Day of Prayer says:
 
“At a time when so many principles found in Scripture have been rejected by society, it’s all the more vital that God’s people stand firmly in defense of the precepts He’s laid out in His Word. As we wage this cultural battle, however, none of our efforts are assured success without consistent, fervent prayer for God’s intervention.”
 
Prayer is something that should not to be taken lightly. It is a powerful aid that God has given us.
 
James 5:16b:
…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
 
God encourages us to talk to Him and to expect answers to our prayers. The key is to ask, and ask according to His will. We find His will in His Word.
 
I John 5:14 and 15:
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
 
One day a year, or even one day a week, should not be the only time we pray. Our country is in desperate need of prayer. There is far too much division and hatred manifesting itself daily. Tuning out the things of the world and tuning into a quiet time with God in prayer, should be a daily service of any Christian. God wants to hear from us and is ready to answer our requests.
 
Matthew 21:22:
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
 
We should conform to the will of God and present ourselves as helpful and useful to God.
 
Romans 12:1 and 2:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.