The National Day of Prayer has been recognised for the past 62 years. It is an opportunity for us to declare corporately as believers our dependence on God. On this National Day of Prayer, the National Day of Prayer committee (see www.nationaldayofprayer.org) suggests we prayer for 7 areas of focus within our nation and ask God’s wisdom and protection on each. The National Day of Prayer verse for 2013 is from Matthew 12:21, “In His Name, the nations will put their hope.” Join me in praying for our nation.

Father, we come before You today to intercede for our Government. We pray that You, Lord, would protect our way of life, and we ask You to embed men and women in public offic who are committed to serving their constituents with integrity. We pray for our elections and ask You, God, to prompt our fellow citizens to become involved in this process. We pray for our national, state and local leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. We ask You, Lord, to grant them wisdom to act with integrity. We pray, Lord, that You would guide us as Your Word states in Exodus 18:21, “…select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials…”.

Father, we come before You to intercede for our Military. Lord, we pray for the courageous troops who are actively serving our country each day, not only at bases around the world, but also here within our borders. We pray also for their families who often make significant sacrifices as they endure long separations, frequent moves and other challenges inherent to military service. As the heroic men and women in our armed services secure our liberty both at home and abroad, we pray Your protection, Lord, to go before them. We lift up the chaplains stationed around the world, along with the Christian servicemen and women who unofficially fulfill a role of spiritual leadership. We ask that these believers would faithfully represent Christ among their peers. We pray also for those who have lost loved ones in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price, and we ask You, Lord for Your comfort, mercy and love to pour over them. We pray for Your divine protection and guidance for our armed forces,chaplains and military families. Father, on behalf of our military, we pray as the Psalmist did in Psalm 59:1, “Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.”

Father, we come before You today to intercede for the Media. The media is unquestionably,Lord,one of the most powerful and influential voices in our culture. Father, help us to recognize and reject the errant messages of popular culture that run counter to the Judeo-Christian system of values. Lord, provide the television, radio, and print mediums with staff and executives who are committed to accuracy and integrity. Lord, we intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and atheletes our young people seek to emulate. We pray that more of Hollywood’s celebrities will be worthy of our respect and admiration. We ask You, Lord, to strengthen and embolden any Christian on sports teams or coaching staffs. Father, nothing is too difficult for You, and though the media and entertainment industry often seem unprincipled, we know You, Lord, are able to use them to accomplish Your purposes. We pray for truth and morality to be presented. Your Word, Lord, teaches in Matthew 12:36-37, “…men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”.

Father, we come before You to intercede for the Business world. Father, today’s business leaders hold a great deal of sway in our society. In recent years sadly, greater numbers of large corporations are becoming characterized by deception, greed, and even fraudulent activity. Father, open our eyes to executives with strong ethics who are especially deserving of our recognition and patronage. We pray, God, that You will provide corporate America with business leaders who are committed to conducting themselves honorably. We pray God, that You would raise up Your ambassadors in the workplace. We pray that each of us would be willing ambassadors for You in our workplaces and businesses, and that we would, as your Son taught us in Matthew 5:16, “…let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”.

Father, we come before You to intercede for our Education system. Father, how it must grieve You to see the influence of postmodern thought that has left its mark on 21st century education, introducing concepts such as plualism, “tolerance”, and the rejection of absolute truth. Revisionist teachings about our country’s founding have removed any reference to the Christian underpinnings that have long set our nation apart and helped it thrive. Father, it’s especially critical that we pray for our nation’s public school teachers, administrators and students. Lord, raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students. We uphold our local school boards as they make decisions about the various curricula that are used across the country. We pray for safety, we pray for morally sound instruction and we pray for wholesome environments. Father, Your Word teaches us in Deuteronomy 11:18-19, “Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds, tie them as symbols on your hands….Teach them to your children…so that the days of your children may be many.”.

Father, we come before You to intercede for the Church. Father, the Church, Your Church, is the body of Christian believers around the world. Lord, Your passion is for Your Church, Your Bride! From the dawn of time, Your purposes have centered around revealing Your glory through Your people and securing our eternity with You. Father, today’s pastors and other Christian leaders face a vast and unprecedented array of pressures. These shepherds need our prayers. We ask You, Lord, to provide them with strength and avenues of accountability so that they may maintain steadfastness in their vital callings. Pastoral families experience many unique stesses, too. We intercede for them, also, as they seek to faithfully come alongside their loved ones. Father, we, the Christian community as a whole must be faithful amidst an “unbelieving and perverse generation” (Matt 17:17). Our culture is rife with ideaologies and activities that run contrary to biblical precepts, and we believers must be increasingly “counter-cultural” in order to stay faithful to our convictions. We pray, Lord, for you to spark a revival throughout our nation, beginning in me, beginning in us! Protect the witness of our pastors, and continue to sanctify and purify Christians around the world. We pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming Your Word! Let it be said of us as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thess 1:4, “Therefore, among God’s churches, we boast about your perseverance and faith in all persecutions and trials you are enduring.”.

Father, we come before You to intercede on behalf of the Family. No institution in the culture is facing more intense persecution than the family. Your Word makes it clear that families play a central role in disseminating the tenants of our faith to the next generation. Father, we pray for the family to be preserved as You intended, the marital union of one man and one woman devoted to each other and to raising the children in their home to be responsible caring adults. Father, to those who disagree and practice “alternative lifestyles”, let them know of our love and Your love for them, while Lord, impressing on their minds, hearts and consciouses that Your Word is clear – there is no alternative. We pray for our elected leaders and the members of our judicial system as they consider proposed legislation and various court cases related to marriage and the family. Let us remain diligent in intercession for these concerns. We pray that families will follow Godly principles. Father, let us be found faithful to follow as Joshua proclaimed in Joshua 24:15, “…chose for yourselves this day whom you will serve….But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”.

Father, we thank You for hearing our prayers and intercession for our government, military, the media, the business world, our education system, the Church and the family. May Your hand of wisdom and guidance remain on each of these. We humbly come before Your Throne with these words on our lips and our hearts, “God, bless America!”. We pray all these things in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.