Friend —
“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15
As we draw nearer to the National Day of Prayer on May 6th we are delighted and excited by the many ways that our coordinators are planning to mobilize unified public prayer for America. We will hear many prayers and witness many acts of honor, repentance, justice, righteousness, and love; all done in obedience and to the glory of Jesus.
I am often surprised when Biblical obedience is misjudged and misinterpreted as political correctness. The Word of God taught and commanded us to do many things such as treating every person with love and honor long before any political party was formed. God has plenty to say about justice, righteousness, lovingkindness, mercy, grace, confession, repentance, forgiveness and more. We cannot give credit to a culture for coming up with these ideas and we cannot discredit God or His commands by attaching Kingdom obedience to mere cultural cliches.
God sent His Son because not one person, much less an entire nation, is able to live “good enough.” Jesus came to pay our sin debt in full and take the wrath that we deserve and as His followers we RESPOND to His great love and sacrifice by loving Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Every emotion, every part of our character, every thought we take captive and decision we make, every word and deed are commanded, motivated, and filled with our love for Jesus. He alone is our inspiration, and we thank Him for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, to equip us for all the good works He has prepared, all the opportunities to bless Him as we bless others, so that His Kingdom will come, and His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven.
I challenge you to live each day in the unceasing love of Jesus; loving others as he has loved you. Read Scripture and put His love into practice, speak life into everyone you encounter and share liberty to those imprisoned by the sin of hate or held captive by its shame and pain. Never step back from doing the righteous thing based on peer pressure or controversy. Read God’s Word and be the person He alone designed, defines, and decides what is good, pleasing and glorifying.
Will you please pray with me now?
Lord we thank you again and again for calling us to a beautiful life of love; being loved by You and loving others through Your love. Lord, I desire to do Your will and glorify You; to delight and bless You alone. I do not act for the applause or approval of people but because I love You I seek to obey You. Do not let the enemy steal, kill, or destroy the opportunities I have every day to show the world that I am a follower, a devoted, obedient follower of Jesus Christ. May the prayers we pray on the National Day of Prayer ignite us to be united in love because we are Your servants and citizens of Your Kingdom. Lord, pour out Your love, life, and liberty in us and through us, we pray. Amen!
Serving Him with Gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President
National Day of Prayer Task Force
UPDATES
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About the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.
To learn more, or to find a National Day of Prayer event in your community, visit www.NationalDayofPrayer.org. |
