TODAY IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER – SEE FOOTNOTE

 

 

So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."  John 11:3 

 

Someone went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus and, because they went, Jesus responded. The healing wouldn’t unfold for several days, but the timer was set when the appeal was made. Ever wonder where your prayers go when they leave your lips?  Listen: “there was silence in heaven, and another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden pan with the prayers of all God’s people. The angel put this offering before the throne. The smoke went up to God with the prayers of God’s people? (Revelation 8:1-4). Why was there silence in heaven? Because someone was praying! Heaven pauses to hear the prayers of someone like you. Listen: ‘the prayers of all God’s people went up to God’ Awesome! Your words don’t stop until they reach the heart of God! But notice, the friend who went to Jesus on behalf of Lazarus said, ‘Lord, the one You love is sick.’ He didn’t base his appeal on the imperfect love of the one in need, but on the perfect love of the Saviour. He didn’t say, ‘The one who loves You is sick.’ No, he said, ‘the one You love is sick.’ That’s different! The power of prayer doesn’t depend on the virtue of the one who prays, but on the unchanging love of the One who hears. Aren’t you glad? You may be deeply flawed; you may not understand the mystery of prayer, but this much is clear: action begins in heaven when someone on earth prays.

 

 

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The National Day of Prayer is today and your intentional prayers for our nation are greatly needed during this time of war, moral decay, and important November elections.

 

President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a National Fast Day in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress declared an annual national day of prayer. In 1988, the Congress and President Ronald Reagan set the first Thursday of every May as National Day of Prayer. And now, on Thursday, May 1, 2008, Americans across the nation will pray for our state and nation.

 

This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield" is based on Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." The Lord hears and responds to His children's appeal for help. He is our strength, refuge, and courage in our personal and national times of suffering, despair, and loss.