National Day of Prayer

Today has been designated as a National Day of Prayer.  I trust that each of you will make a special effort to connect with the heart of God in a time of intercessory prayer for the needs that we are facing as individuals as well as the needs of our nation.  In my opinion America is in desperate need of a "spiritual awakening."  This can come to fruition if the people of God will humble themselves and sincerely seek the face of God (2 Chronicles 7:14).  I also believe that this awakening will begin in the heart of individuals who recognize the need for the presence of God in their daily lives.  This individual awakening will spread though our family and then the family will help spread this awakening into the local fellowships that they attend.  I will make this statement one more time, "I refuse to give up on the church in America.  I am convinced that God desires to bring a wonderful and powerful move of the Holy Spirit into our lives."  Will you join this Prayer Effort?  Prayer is still effective today (James 5:16).

I read the following devotional this morning concerning prayer for our families.  I wanted to share it with you.

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of  him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given  over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.” 1 Samuel 1:27-28

A parent’s prayers for their child produce the best results: both in the short-term and the long-term. Smart prayers include their salvation, future spouse, and a sensitive heart to the Spirit’s leading. Faith-focused prayers penetrate pride, dissolve selfishness, and give wisdom. Satan flees in the face of just prayers. Spiritual battles rage for the family’s soul and wise are the parents who engage in a prayer offensive.

Indeed, when we pray with our spouse our own hearts are strangely warmed to God, our children, and to each other. There is a mutually compounding benefit when you make prayer an investment priority for your progeny. A child who knows they are prayed for by their mom and dad is confident they are cared about. We build our son or daughter’s self-esteem when we petition heaven on their behalf. Prayer produces confidence.

“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” Acts 14:23

How would your heavenly Father have you pray for your children? Perhaps you begin by praying with and for them at meal times and when you tuck them in at night. Obligatory and rote prayers lack spiritual intensity—they even tempt the Lord—but your fervent and righteous prayers rock the worlds of their recipients. Pray boldly for your child to live boldly within a culture of unbelief. Pray they will stand alone when others forsake the faith.

Have you given your child over to the Lord in a simple and trusting prayer? You cannot control your child, but you can entrust them to Christ who is all controlling. You must not seek to manipulate your son or daughter, but ask the Holy Spirit to lead them away from temptation and into His path of peace and wisdom. Pray for godly mentors to come into their lives and reinforce what you have taught and modeled for years. Be hopeful and persevere, as your parental prayers offer wisdom and revelation of God!

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:16-17

Blessing on you and your family today!