National Day of Prayer

On this National Day of Prayer...

Father, I praise You for Your greatness, for Your unfailing, unconditional love, for Your faithfulness.

Today I lift up our nation to You and ask forgiveness;
forgiveness for our shortcomings, for our denial and neglect of Your presence.
I ask that in the times when we choose not to recognize that You are our Sovreign King, in times when we don't put You in Your rightful first place in our lives and in our country's agenda, that You would extend grace and mercy to us. Help us to recognize that it is You who we need to honor with our hearts. May we be ever mindful that You are the King of Kings - the Ruler of nations, the One and Only True God.

I pray for our government today. From our local township officials all the way up through to those who govern our nation. Lord, fill them with Your wisdom. May they seek Your counsel as they make decisions which affect our land. Guide their steps and their hearts.

For our men and women in uniform who protect and serve our great nation, I ask first and foremost for Your protection. Keep them safe from harm. Allow them to carry on their duties and accomplish the things which You direct them to accomplish. May they do their jobs effectively and with honor. I pray this not only for those serving in the military, but also for those who protect and serve in our local community of Greenville, and in all the local municipalities and states in our nation. Grant them strength and wisdom, patience and endurance.

I ask that You would turn the hearts of the people of The United States toward You. That in this day of uncertainty, when so many trials so often are set before us, that we would remember to keep You in the center of our lives. For without You, we can do nothing.

You have said in Your Word that if we humble ourselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways, that You will hear from heaven and heal our land. Help us to do just that. May all the prayers that will be prayed today on this National Day of Prayer not just be lipservice to You, Lord, but may they be sincere pleas for forgiveness and for Your will to be done in our lives and in our nation.

Grant us peace and protection. Fill us with hope. A hope that can only be realized in You. As we strive to place You first, may we be blessed.

I ask these things in the precious Name of Jesus,
Amen.

---

Now therefore, I pray,
if I have found grace in Your sight,
show me now Your way,
that I may know You
and that I may find grace in Your sight.
And consider that this nation is Your people.
-Exodus 33:13

---