This nation was birthed in prayer. Let me state that more accurately. This nation was birthed in the Divine purposes of God, but an integral part of those birth pangs were the prayers of our Founding Fathers, and may I say, Mothers. That is truly the unique heritage of our nation, and, apart from Israel, the most unique origins of all nations of the earth. Birthed by God and sustained by prayer. That is why the National Day of Prayer should be such an important tradition of our nation.

Let me first give a brief history of the tradition. The tradition has it’s roots with our Founders, both in the many writings that declared how vital it was “to beseech the mercies of our Creator”, and also the various declarations of special days of prayer for our nation. In 1775, the Continental Congress “designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.” In 1795, George Washington proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. In 1863, Lincoln signed a Congressional resolution calling for prayer and fasting during the Civil War. It can be said that the practice of prayer was a “given” in the halls of our government institutions and invoked as a matter of course in our public celebrations.

In 1952, Billy Graham led a rally calling for a National Day of Prayer and it was unanimously approved by Congress and signed by President Truman. The President was responsible for selecting a day each year. Finally, in 1988, a bill was introduced to both houses of Congress assigning the first Thursday of May as a National Day of Prayer. Ronald Reagan signed it into law declaring,

“On our National Day of Prayer, then, we join together as people of many faiths to petition God to show us His mercy and His love, to heal our weariness and uphold our hope, that we might live ever mindful of His justice and thankful for His blessing.”

Unfortunately, especially during the last decade, this great tradition has become a political football. A Wisconsin federal judge recently struck down the federal statute declaring it unconstitutional. I don’t want to get into the weeds about the politics of this, but it is ludicrous to say that the National Day of Prayer statute takes the step of establishing a state religion, that which the Constitution protects against.

More important to this whole issue is an intangible. I believe that very powerful spiritual principles are involved here. It is my belief that spiritual protection, an umbrella of protection, if you will, is most afforded when there are indications from our political leadership that Divine leadership, protection, and intervention is honored and sought. My model for that is the nation of Israel as evidenced in the Old Testament. We are all familiar with the roller coaster ride that is depicted of Israel under the reign of the kings. There was a direct correlation between the righteous reign of a king and the economic prosperity and physical protection that Israel enjoyed. The correlation was even more powerful under an unholy king. Spiritual laws regarding nations transcend time and our nation is not exempt. There are promises for a praying nation. II Chronicles 7:14 comes to mind, “If my people…will pray…I will hear from heaven…heal their land.”

It is vital that, for the well being of our nation, the three branches that make up our government demonstrate through legislation and decree that God is recognized and honored in our nation. These same spiritual blessings can be called down from Heaven even at the state and local levels, regardless of the national level. That may very well be an explanation for why some states fare better in economic crisis than others. Though it may very well be due time for this nation to reap a whirlwind of curses, may it not be too late for the collective prayers of the saints to stay the hand of judgment and still call down the mercies of God upon us.

Happily His,
Bob

I've celebrated my golden anniversary of knowing the Lord, and it has been an incredible adventure, most of those years being spent in the ministry. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful wife and two incredible sons. I hope my occasional articles provide a Kingdom perspective that will be a blessing. Cor. 15:10 "...by the grace of God, I am what I am..."

bobtx

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