Leader: Bro. Paul
Each year on the first Thursday of May there is a time of prayer held for our nation. This time is prefaced with a year of preparation. This year we met in the Heritage Room at the M.K. Brown Auditorium. It was a wonderful experience as we raised our voices in a concert of prayer.
Please mark your calendar for the May 5, 2011 and join with us for a time of pryaer. Always keep our nation, city, schools, military, families, churches, and the media in your prayers. Continue to pray that God will lead our nation and we will be faithful to follow.
Web site: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/ You will find further information at this site or you can contact Bro. Paul by phone at 665-3300 or by e-mail at bropaul@centramedia.net .
Prayer for the Seven Centers of Power ----
Pray for our Government
Pray for President Obama, Vice President Biden, and the Cabinet members for wisdom, discernment and guidance from the Lord. Pray for members of the US Senate and US House of Representatives that they will vote for pro-family, pro-life legislation. Pray for the US Supreme Court Justices to not legislate laws but to interpret them correctly and to vote in favor of restricting abortion and eventually overturning Roe v Wade. Pray for state and local leaders that they will lead with wisdom. Pray for political leaders to have the reverence for and the fear of the Lord.
Scriptures: NIV
· 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Pray for the Military
Pray that our accounts of U.S. military actions from the media are relayed fairly and impartially. Our troops are deserving of their fellow Americans' gratitude and respect, and accurate reporting can play an important role in rallying the American people around our brave servicemen. Pray for divine protection and guidance for our armed forces. Intercede for military chaplains and loved ones at home.
“He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.”
“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed”
“Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.”
“…for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
Pray for the Media
We must also remember to intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate. Pray that more of Hollywood's celebrities will be worthy of our respect and admiration. And as you watch your favorite sport, ask the Lord to strengthen and embolden any Christians on the team or coaching staff. Nothing is too difficult for God and though the industry often seems unprincipled, we know the Lord is able to use the media to accomplish His purposes. Pray for truth and morality to be presented.
Scriptures:
“9 Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food. 10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. 11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. 12 The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes. 13 An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. 14 From the fruit of his lips a man if filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. 15 The way of a fools seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17 A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. 18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. 21 No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. 22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.”
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –if anything is excellent or praiseworthy –think about such things.”
“But I tell you that men will have to give 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.”
Pray for Education
With this type of atmosphere pervading our classrooms, it's especially critical that we pray for our nation's public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to 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. In addition, let's not forget to uphold our local school boards in prayer as they make decisions about the various curricula that are used across the country. Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.
Scriptures:
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
“May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us –yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Pray for Business
In this climate, executives with strong ethics are especially deserving of our recognition and patronage. A great way to encourage such business leaders is to support Marketplace Chaplains USA, a group that positions chaplains in companies across the country. Also, continue praying that God will provide corporate America with business leaders who are committed to conducting themselves honorably. Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace.
Scriptures
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
“…and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts –to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.”
Pray for the Church
Pray for the Lord to spark a revival throughout our nation, protect the witness of our pastors, and continue to sanctify and purify Christians around the world. We know that the spiritual condition of homes, communities and countries often points back to the believers within those regions. That being the case, it's all the more important that we strive after righteousness, corporately as well as individually. Pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming God’s Word.
Scriptures:
· Matthew 16:18-19
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
· Ephesians 4:3-6
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit –just as you were called to one hope when you were called –one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
· II Thessalonians 1:4
“Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
· Acts 16:15
“When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.”
Pray for Families
Please pray for the family to be preserved as the Lord 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. Also keep in mind 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. This is one of the most crucial matters facing our nation, and it's imperative that God's people remain diligent in intercession for these concerns. Pray that families will follow godly principles.
Scriptures:
“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
“3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.”
- Ephesians 5:21
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
- Mark 3:25
“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
