A Time to Pray
Please consider joining Christians around the country in 40 days of prayer for our country.
The United States is clearly a nation in trouble. A battered economy, political divisiveness, the culture wars, racial uneasiness, and a sidelined church, provide the dry tinder for an inflammatory national election in November of 2012. Many stake their hopes or fears on the outcome.
While believing in and encouraging the importance of exercising our right to vote, we also call the Christian Church in America to do that which is even more critical in these days . . . to pray! The seriousness of our day requires an intensity of prayer that is unprecedented. Accordingly, we call for 40 days and nights of unrelenting intercession on behalf of our nation, immediately preceding the Nov.6th election (September 28 - November 6).
Our focus in prayer is simple. We are praying for:
1.Revival in the Church-that another Great Awakening would sweep across America as the Lord’s people humble themselves in repentance and prayer. (2 Chron. 7:14)
2.A standard of righteousness to be raised over this nation.(Proverbs 14:34)
3.The elections—that God would intervene. This is not a partisan or political effort but a plea to bring God into a process that desperately needs His wisdom and direction. (Isaiah 48:17)
This is a call, not from one ministry or organization, but from diverse leaders from across the spectrum of the U.S. Church. It is also not a call to a particular event. It is a pleading for all Christians to do something proactive and powerful in prayer for the 40 days leading up to our fall elections.
As leaders in the Body of Christ, we commit ourselves to prayer during these days of decision regarding the future of our nation. Even more, we commit ourselves to mobilize prayer in our spheres of influence, that every part of the Lord’s Church would join together in day and night prayer for the intervention of God on the part of our nation.
Please consider participating in this very worthwhile event and asking everyone you know to participate also. There has never been a better time to put your trust in God.
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This is absolutely vital. Regardless of where one stands politically, there is no question that our nation needs to be called back to the One True God. We must pray fervently that whoever is elected in November will harken to the voice of the Lord, rather than the siren song of secular ideologies.
[1] Posted by David Fischler on 9-28-2012 at 11:28 AM · [top]
I formed a weekly prayer group for this season a month ago and we have been praying for everything on your list. I am encouraged that across this country, the Lord is calling his people to prayer and people are responding. He is the only hope for the change we need in this country!
[2] Posted by Hosanna on 9-28-2012 at 11:29 AM · [top]
The CANA Deanery for Chaplains [200+ strong] under the leadership of Bp. Derek Jones is taking the 40 day fast in prayer for the country.
But faith with out works is dead. Those who plan to sit at home on their hands come Nov 6 or to vote for a third party loser, are in fact helping to ensure we have 4 more years that will be worse than what we have seen so far.
While praying, we need to talk to family, friends, neighbors, even strangers and explain what is at stake for our Nation.
This is a matter of deep religious faith; because America, as founded, is part of God’s providential plan for Mankind. Because America, as founded, is the best manifestation of God’s natural laws for mankind, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
[3] Posted by Capt. Father Warren on 9-29-2012 at 07:30 PM · [top]
This is an important call to prayer. You can choose to call it “not partisan or political” but when we have a President who advocates for same sex marriage, who has unleashed an unprecedented assault on religious freedom and who is driving us into irresponsible debt, I know that my prayer can only be for the defeat of Barack Obama.
Our Nation needs to humble itself and be called back to trust in God. Be sure you vote on November 6—and remember what is at stake.
[4] Posted by hanks on 9-29-2012 at 09:31 PM · [top]
Thank you, Jackie. These are some links at Lent & Beyond that may be useful. There will be some overlap between the links.
40 Days for Life
Pro-life prayer collection
For our nation
[5] Posted by Jill Woodliff on 9-30-2012 at 06:18 AM · [top]
A gentle reminder to our readers. The purpose of this thread is not to ask for the vote for one particular candidate. It is to ask that we humbly fall on our knees in fasting and prayer and ask that God give us the leadership that we need to turn around the terrible mess we are in REGARDLESS of how you believe we got here. We need a return to faith. We need a return to financial stability not just for ourselves but how can we help others if we cannot support ourselves? We need to return to being a nation of honor that values hard work.
So as you undertake this please do not condemn those you think will vote outside your choice for candidate, regardless of what you fear may be the consequences.
The purpose is to ask for prayer that we get leadership who will do those things we believe are needful in this nation and that we then agree to submit our wills to that of our Lord and Savior.
[6] Posted by Jackie on 9-30-2012 at 03:24 PM · [top]
It is to ask that we humbly fall on our knees in fasting and prayer and ask that God give us the leadership that we need to turn around the terrible mess we are in
Jacki, with all due respect, God may have placed that leadership before us. But God is not a magician who pulls rabbits out of hats for our entertainment or betterment. God gives us choices, but He also gives us free will. God also gives us direction if we listen for it with hearts full of the Holy Spirit.
If voters read the scriptures, if they are hearing the gospel preached where they worship, they should recognize that unlimited abortion [or any abortion for that matter] does not protect the sanctity of life. We have a man running for President who believe in just that, unlimited abortion.
God had His hand on the founding of this country. One candidate wants to squelch the rights granted to us by God. Voters should be aware of that.
So, falling on our knees and asking God to make it all go away is not what Christian prayer is really about. And I don’t mean to imply that is what you are suggesting. But prayer has to be about discernment followed by action and the willingness to live with the consequences.
[7] Posted by Capt. Father Warren on 9-30-2012 at 06:38 PM · [top]
Captain,
You have misunderstood the purpose of this thread. It is not a call for political debate. It is not a call for God to be on “our side.”
It is a call that we may be on God’s side. I am asking that you respect this and reserve any political commentary for the numerous opportunities provided on threads for that very purpose..
Indeed, God is not neutral in the affairs of man. Anyone who has ever read about the life of George Washington can attest to that.
God is also not a magician to be called upon although pulling a rabbit from a hat would not be much of a feat for the God that set the earth in its orbit and determined the boundary of the heavens. Saving us from our perfidy would be child’s play when one considers His hand led Noah to build an ark, made Abraham the father of uncounted numbers, saved Joseph from a pit, made Moses the leader of an Exodus, turned David into an unlikely king - to name but a few of the mighty works of our Lord.
So again, I ask that you refrain from any political debate on this thread. You are welcome to discuss those things that Scripture calls us to. Let’s start with 2 Chronicles 7:14.
[8] Posted by Jackie on 9-30-2012 at 08:39 PM · [top]
Jackie,
Hard to avoid the political implication, however we must remember that often God has used those that are not his faithful followers to fulfill his needs such as Cyrus the Great who returned the Jews to Israel from Babylon. So again, God may use whomever he pleases to fulfill his ends; so do not say because candidates are not a faithful Christians that one should not vote as we are those who govern our nation is the broadest sense.
[9] Posted by BillB on 9-30-2012 at 09:00 PM · [top]
Of course there are political implications, BillB, however the purpose of the thread is not to convict others with our words but to ask God to convict us with His.
[10] Posted by Jackie on 9-30-2012 at 09:09 PM · [top]
I am following the 40 Days of Prayer campaign over at the Catholic Sistas website. This is the prayer intention for Day 23:
That’s what I call covering all the bases.
“The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.” Psalm 146:9
[11] Posted by episcopalienated on 10-1-2012 at 04:57 AM · [top]
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