National Day of Prayer - a note Dan sent to his students

         You may or may not have been aware of this, but today is the national day of prayer, and if ever there was a year for us as a school to pray, this is that year. But I would like to encourage you to let today not be a single day of prayer for our country (and world) but rather let it be a mark of intensification of prayer. The need is great. Colossians 4:2 instructs us to "be diligent in prayer". The word for diligent suggests a militant commitment, like that of an active duty soldier to their task. In the Roman world, the soldier's duty was so significant that if they failed, or were negligent, it could result in a death penalty. This drove them by fear. We are not driven by fear, but by perfect love. Nevertheless, our commitment to prayer should be the same. Prayer as in warfare. It is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that our lives (and others) depend upon this. Also remember that in Ephesians 6:10-18, prayer is the final component of the armor of God as it is described. We are to put on the full armor (for spiritual warfare) "with all prayer and supplication..."

So how to pray?
         First, pray that God's name would be treated as holy by the world around. "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name."
         Second, pray for God's kingdom to come. I do have a little caution of awareness regarding this. Praying for His kingdom to come also means that we're asking for judgment on the world. I cannot help but ask for God to be merciful (Habakkuk 3:2), as I know that our world is due judgment for our rebellion against God.
         Third, pray for His will to be done. Sometimes we think that this could never include terrible or grievous things, but that is not necessarily the case. What is true is that He always works it for the good of those who love Him. So trust His will when you don't understand it.
         Fourth, ask God to grant what we need for each day.
         Fifth, ask God to forgive us and our country for our sinful ways. Some specifics are the evil of power seeking, killing innocent unborn, vile and perverse entertainment, murder and violence, and the general rejection of God.
         Sixth, Yes, ask God to deliver us from all of the evil that we see and know will one day come.

To the Lord's prayer, I would add this.

Prayer specifically for our leaders, as much for those whom we dislike as for those whom we like.
Prayer for the church. We are much more weak than we seem to realize. Pray for strength to be faithful in the days ahead. Pray that we are witnesses to a lost and dying world.
Pray for our military. They need prayer, and all the more in difficult times of international tension.
Pray for voices in the entertainment and media worlds to arise who will bring godly messages to us. Pray for the people of our country to hear these messages and for many to respond in repentance.

        I would add to all of this, let's always remember to worship and praise Him as we pray.  He is worthy.  And remember that He reigns!  THAT is good news!