National Day of Prayer 2018
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and today is the National Day of Prayer.
If you’re like me, your heart grieves for our country. God tells us in the Gospel of Luke, the 11th Chapter that any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fail. Our country is so divided right now; rarely is there a discussion about the state of our union without it digressing into a shouting match – just watch commentators on the evening news, right? I used to enjoy discussing politics with friends, but not anymore. No sooner do you open up a healthy debate then it erupts into a heated argument. People don’t know how to talk in civil tones anymore; we don’t know how to listen to the other side without interrupting; and time and again, it usually ends up by whoever yells the loudest.
This happened to me just the other day after church. Somehow, out in the parking lot after the services were over, I was drawn into a discussion about the new tax law. One friend lauded the new law as being friendly to non-profits, churches, and to middle income families. The third person in our little circle insisted that the new law provided rich people with big loopholes, and that there was no guarantee that the new corporate tax rate would mean more investments into corporations; there was no assurance that the savings would trickle down to the paychecks of individual workers. In no time at all, I found myself refereeing between these two friends. I mean, c’mon can’t even Christians hold differing views without dissention?
More than ever, America needs prayer. It needs Christians who will show what a reasoned, healthy discussion sounds like. In this age where people freely say whatever they think and whatever they feel, we as Christ-followers need to remember the importance of speaking words of life. If we consider ourselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on our tongues, friend, we deceive ourselves, and our walk of faith is worthless. As the world gets darker, we Christians have a wonderful opportunity to let our light shine brighter, and it begins with the way we talk, with the way we discuss the issues that impact our nation; it begins with the way we pray.
So today, if it is not too late, make plans to attend a National Day of Prayer observance. Prayer brings people together. Prayer builds bridges between opposing persons and political parties. Prayer reminds us that we are created in God’s image and He desires for us to shine forth His love. This year, the theme for the National Day of Prayer is “unity,” and it’s based on Ephesians Chapter 4, verse 3: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Friend, now is the time in our nation to make every effort – to strive and to persevere – to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Prayer brings that unity. And so do our words and actions. So, pray with me even now, would you, “Lord Jesus, we who claim your name humble ourselves and we unify ourselves in prayer for the next great move you will make in America. Come, Holy Spirit, and unite our nation. Give us a hunger for righteousness and godly living, and give us a thirst for peaceful discourse in the public square. Hear the prayers of your people. Bring revival, bring renewal as together we pray on this special day in America. In your precious name, Jesus, Amen. By the way, I would love to hear what you are praying about, or a favorite Bible verse that you are memorizing. Tell me about it. Just go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org or you can always write me at Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California 91376. If the Lord has answered some prayer of yours today, guess what? Stop right after we are done here and tell Him “Thanks”.
© Joni and Friends
