Now you might have read the title and thought that is true. It is, and it is something we are supposed to do and do often. Paul even told them in Philippians 1:3-5 New King James Version-
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
You see prayer is not necessarily something we do only at prescribed times or circumstances. It is something we can do at any time and for any reason.
Prayer is for God’s will to be done. The part we play is that we ask and then accept His will in the matter in which we pray. This is not a difficult concept but it is one in which we often struggle. The struggle is in that prayer is often considered a manner in which God provides for a request made. The idea being, that if asked, God grants the requested answer to a prayer. In a very real sense, that is exactly what occurs. However, the truth is that the prayer must align with His will.
I am sure like you, there are a variety of things we pray for each day. I know I pray several times each day for Elaine and our family. Asking for safety and strength as they go about their day. I will pray for a friend who is ill or going through something in their life. I pray for the church in which I am working with as their Interim Pastor. We all pray every day for a variety of reasons dependent on who we are and the needs that we are aware of ourselves.
Personally, I have found myself praying for those who are governing us. This has certainly led me to pray for their wisdom and knowledge to do the right things for our country. I don’t see that happening but Scripture tells us we are to pray as we see in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 New King James Version
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Now the reason we are to do this is because it is our responsibility. It does not promise they will do the right things. It does however indicate we, regardless of what they do, may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Understanding how God works is important. If we can better recognize how He works, we can be receptive to what happens in our lives and in our prayers. Paul continues and says that-
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
You see ultimately it is God’s desire that all be saved and be knowledgeable of the truth. That truth is-
5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,
The prayers I have offered have also been that God would bless our country. This is the only one we have. There is no place else to go on this planet. Yet, it appears from all we can read and hear that there is a headstrong effort to push and make us something we have never been and prayerfully we never will be.
It seems clear to me that there is only one way for us to go. It is also clear to me that there are so many who don’t seem to recognize the problems we have that need to be addressed.
So in the mean time, I pray. I make my petitions known unto God. My prayer is that His will be done and that it is to bless and keep this nation. Can He judge us? Of course he can and there are a plethora of things He could judge us upon. So the only hope is that as a believer, along with other believers, God hears our prayers and that it is His will. Because if it is not then things are certainly going to get a whole lot worse real soon.
With our 248 birthday just a few days away I hope this encourages you to join me in prayer for these United States of America.
I hope you will be displaying the Stars and Stripes at your house this next week. I know we will and here is a picture of our house and the flag we fly.
In God’s Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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