WHILE WATCHING THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT BARAK OBAMA on television, I was struck by the important role that prayer played in the events of that historic day. The invocation and benediction were very moving, as was grace before the lunch hosted by the Congress in Statuary Hall. Thank God we have not booted prayer entirely out of government yet, even though there are those who, if given the opportunity, would do so.
It is my earnest prayer that our elected officials will seek the Lord often and sincerely. After all, who would face the dilemmas of our day without consulting Wisdom personified? Wise is that leader who realizes that help is available from above. And that Almighty God delights in assisting those who look to Him.
From the beginning of our nation, there were those in positions of power that confessed their dependence upon God. A stranger once asked at Congress how he could distinguish George Washington from the other members. He was told, “You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels.” In fact, you may read in American history how Washington found rest and relief in prayer during the trying times he and his soldiers passed through at Valley Forge. With all the cares and anxieties of that time weighing down upon him, he used to have recourse to prayer. One day a farmer approaching the camp heard an earnest voice. On coming nearer, he saw George Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears, praying to God. After he had returned home, the farmer said to his wife, “George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their independence!” “What makes you think so, Isaac?” asked his wife. The farmer replied, “I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will Hannah; thee may rest assured He will.”
We, as citizens have a role to play as well. It is incumbent upon us as followers of Christ and Americans to support our new president through prayer. May God grant us the will and desire to do so. Ps 33:12,16,18: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”
It is my earnest prayer that our elected officials will seek the Lord often and sincerely. After all, who would face the dilemmas of our day without consulting Wisdom personified? Wise is that leader who realizes that help is available from above. And that Almighty God delights in assisting those who look to Him.
From the beginning of our nation, there were those in positions of power that confessed their dependence upon God. A stranger once asked at Congress how he could distinguish George Washington from the other members. He was told, “You can easily distinguish him when Congress goes to prayer. Washington is the gentleman who kneels.” In fact, you may read in American history how Washington found rest and relief in prayer during the trying times he and his soldiers passed through at Valley Forge. With all the cares and anxieties of that time weighing down upon him, he used to have recourse to prayer. One day a farmer approaching the camp heard an earnest voice. On coming nearer, he saw George Washington on his knees, his cheeks wet with tears, praying to God. After he had returned home, the farmer said to his wife, “George Washington will succeed! George Washington will succeed! The Americans will secure their independence!” “What makes you think so, Isaac?” asked his wife. The farmer replied, “I heard him pray, Hannah, out in the woods today, and the Lord will surely hear his prayer. He will Hannah; thee may rest assured He will.”
We, as citizens have a role to play as well. It is incumbent upon us as followers of Christ and Americans to support our new president through prayer. May God grant us the will and desire to do so. Ps 33:12,16,18: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.”
posted by kazookid | 12:14 PM
1 Comments:
Jess and I were commenting on how glad we were to see how prayer was still an important part of today. Let's pray it stays that way with our new President!
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