Thoughts on the National Day of Prayer

​Reflection.  Prayer.  Repentance.  Intercession.  That’s what today is all about.  It’s a day for the Church of Jesus Christ to gather and fill heaven with prayer and intercession.  It’s a day of intentionality, as we make a point of coming before the Lord on behalf of our country.  It’s a day of meditation, as we ponder and repent for the sins of our nation.  It’s a day of action, as we humble ourselves and seek God’s face.  Today is the National Day of Prayer in America.

​A couple of years ago, I wrote an exhaustive post on the National Day of Prayer and the requests we should be praying for.  If you’re lost for how to pray today and/or why we pray, jump over and check that post out.  However, as we come back around to another year and another prayer gathering, I think it’s important to remind ourselves of the important things.  We are not gathering solely to see God save our nation.  No, we’re gathering to seek the Lord’s will.  Period. 
 
While we love and treasure our nation, the main point is not prayer for our nation but prayer for our church.  Because America will not last into eternity, but the Church will.   It is important to pray for our country as well, but we must remember that renewal and reform starts in the Body of Christ. 
 
So pray for the people of America, pray for the government of America, pray for the leaders of America.  But really pray for the Church of America.  The Bride of Christ in America needs all the prayers she can get as she teeters on the fence of compromise.  Therefore, as members of one body, let us pray and intercede for ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ that we may stand firm on God’s truth and not give in to the increasing pressure to conform and compromise with a corrupt culture.  Because only as the Spirit-filled, uncompromised Church of God can we begin to change our nation. 
 
And as you pray, I have a song to share with you.  I heard this while driving a couple days ago and found it very appropriate for this day, because it puts into song the purpose and heart cry of the National Day of Prayer.  So may it touch and bless your heart as it did mine.  Here’s “Heal Our Land” by Kari Jobe Carnes.

"Heal Our Land"
by Cody Carnes / Scott Ligertwood / Kari Jobe / Brooke Ligertwood

You take, our lives
Flawed yet beautiful

Restore, refine
Lord You’re merciful
Redeem, revive

Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone

New power, new wine
As divisions fall

One church, one bride
Jesus, Lord of all
With one voice, we cry

Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone
Christ alone

So God we pray to You
Humble ourselves again
Lord would You hear our cry?
Lord will You heal our land?
That every eye will see
That every heart will know
The One who took our sin
The One who died and rose

So God we pray to You
Humble ourselves again
Lord would You hear our cry?
Lord will You heal our land?
That every eye will see
That every heart will know
The One who took our sin
The One who died and rose

And when Your kingdom comes
And when at last You call
We’ll rise to worship You alone

Spirit of God
Breathe on Your church
Pour out Your presence
Speak through Your word
We pray in every nation, Christ be known
Our hope and salvation, Christ alone