National Day of Prayer

N
May 1, 2016
ational
DAY OF PRAYER
is May 5, 2016
Statesville Record & Landmark Concord Independent Tribune Mooresville Tribune
May 1, 2016
National Day of Prayer
Concord Mooresville Statesville
MISSION & VISION
The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is

to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal
repentance and righteousness in the culture.
The National Day of Prayer is an
annual observance held on the first
Thursday of May, inviting people
of all faiths to pray for the nation.
It was created in 1952 by a joint
resolution of the United States
Congress, and signed into law by
President Harry S. Truman. Our
Task Force is a privately funded
organization whose purpose is to
encourage participation on the
National Day of Prayer. It exists to
communicate with every individual
the need for personal repentance
and prayer, to create appropriate
materials, and to mobilize the
Christian community to intercede
for Americas leaders and its
families. The Task Force represents
a Judeo Christian expression of the
national observance, based on our
understanding that this country was
birthed in prayer and in reverence
for the God of the Bible.
History of the National

Day of Prayer
Fasting and prayer are religious
exercises; the enjoining them an act
of discipline. Every religious society
has a right to determine for itself
the time for these exercises, and the
objects proper for them, according
to their own particular tenets; and
right can never be safer than in their
hands, where the Constitution has
deposited it.
Thomas Jefferson, 1808
Because of the faith of many of

our founding fathers, public prayer
and national days of prayer have a
long-standing and significant history
in American tradition. The Supreme
Court affirmed the right of state
legislatures to open their sessions
with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers
(1983).
The National Day of Prayer is a
vital part of our heritage. Since the
first call to prayer in 1775, when
the Continental Congress asked
the colonies to pray for wisdom
in forming a nation, the call to
prayer has continued through
our history, including President
Lincolns proclamation of a day of
humiliation, fasting, and prayer
in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution
by Congress, signed by President
Truman, declared an annual
national day of prayer. In 1988,
the law was amended and signed
by President Reagan, permanently
setting the day as the first Thursday
of every May. Each year, the
president signs a proclamation,
encouraging all Americans to pray
on this day. Last year, all 50 state
governors plus the governors of
several U.S. territories signed
similar proclamations.
Significance of the
The National Day of Prayer has

great significance for us as a
nation as it enables us to recall

and to teach the way in which
our founding fathers sought the
wisdom of God when faced with
critical decisions. It stands as a
call for us to humbly come before
God, seeking His guidance for our
leaders and His grace upon us as
a people. The unanimous passage
of the bill establishing the National
Day of Prayer as an annual event,
signifies that prayer is as important
to our nation today as it was in the
beginning.
Like Thanksgiving or Christmas,
this day has become a national
observance placed on all
Hallmark calendars and observed
annually across the nation and in
Washington, D.C. Every year, local,
state, and federal observances

were held from sunrise in Maine to
sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans
from all socio-economic, political
and ethnic backgrounds in prayer
for our nation. It is estimated that
over two million people attended
more than 30,000 observances
organized by approximately
40,000 volunteers. At state capitols,
county court houses, on the
steps of city halls, and in schools,
businesses, churches and homes,
people stopped their activities and
gathered for prayer.
The National Day of

Prayer is Ours
The National Day of Prayer belongs

-cont. on page 4
May 1, 2016
NAT IONA L DAY OF PR AY ER

Join us for lunch & prayer service at 12 Noon on Thursday, May 5th, 2016
Please call to reserve your seat today
BLESSED IS THE
NATION WHOSE
GOD IS THE LORD
PSALM :
May 1, 2016
to all Americans. It is a day that

transcends differences,
bringing together citizens from all
backgrounds. Mrs. Shirley Dobson,
NDP chairman, reminds us: We
have lost many of our freedoms in
America because we have been
asleep. I feel if we do not become
involved and support the annual
National Day of Prayer, we could
end up forfeiting this freedom, too.
Historical Summary
1775 The first Continental

Congress calls for a National Day of
Prayer and Fasting.
1863 Abraham Lincoln calls for
a National Day of Prayer.
1952 Harry S. Truman declares
a National Day of Prayer and signs
into law an annual observance there
of United States Congress passed
Joint Resolution 382 on April 17,
1952/ President Truman signs
Public Law 82-324 (Public Law 82324; 66 Stat. 64April 17, 1952).
1988 Ronald Reagan signs
into law the designation of the first
Thursday in May as the annual
observance for the National Day of
Prayer President Reagan signs
Public Law 100-307 January 25,
1988, in the Second Session of the
One Hundredth Congress (Public
Law 100-307May 5, 1988).
1998 Pub. L. 105-225, August
12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1258: The
President shall issue each year a
proclamation designating the first
Thursday in May as a National Day
of Prayer on which the people of the
United States may turn to God in

prayer and meditation at churches,
in groups, and as individuals.
This law was signed by President
Clinton.
Fun Facts
1) There have been 143 national

calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting
and thanksgiving by the President
of the United States (1789-2014).
2) There have been 66 Presidential
Proclamations for a National Day of
Prayer (1952-2014). Gerald R. Ford
(1976), George H. Bush (1989-91)
and Barack H. Obama (2012) are
the only U.S. Presidents to sign
multiple National Day of Prayer
Proclamations in the same year.
3) Every President since 1952 has
signed a National Day of Prayer
proclamation.
4) 34 of the 44 U.S. Presidents
have signed proclamations for
National Prayer. Three of the
Presidents who did not sign a
proclamation died while serving
in office. Two Presidents, not
included in the count William
Howard Taft and Warren Gamaliel
Harding, signed proclamations for
Thanksgiving and Prayer.
5) Records indicate there have
been 1,419 state and federal calls
for national prayer since 1775 and
counting.
-nationaldayofprayer.org
May 1, 2016
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2 Chronicles 7:14 English Standard Version (ESV)
if my people who are called by my name humble
14
themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:22-23 English StandardVersion (ESV) 1 John 1:9 English StandardVersion (ESV)
The steadfast love of the LORD never
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
22
9
ceases; his mercies never come to an end; just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
they are new every morning; great is your from all unrighteousness.
23
faithfulness.
Psalm 145:18 English StandardVersion (ESV)
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
18
to all who call on him in truth.
1 Timothy 2:8 English StandardVersion (ESV)
I desire then that in every place the men
8
should pray, lifting holy hands without
anger or quarreling;
James 5:16 English StandardVersion (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one
16
another and pray for one another, that you
may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
person has great power as it is working.[a]
Romans 10:9 English StandardVersion (ESV)

because, if you confess with your mouth
9
that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you
will be saved.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 English StandardVersion (ESV)

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 Romans 12:12 English StandardVersion (ESV)
16
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,
the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
be constant in prayer.
Philippians 4:6-7 English StandardVersion (ESV)
do not be anxious about anything, but in
6
everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. 7 And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.
Luke 6:27-28 English StandardVersion (ESV)

But I say to you who hear, Love your
27
enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for
28
those who abuse you.
1 Peter 4:7 English StandardVersion (ESV)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore
7
be self-controlled and sober-minded for
the sake of your prayers.
May 1, 2016
Wake Up America
The 65th annual National Day of Prayer,

May 5, 2016, will have profound significance
for our country. It is an unprecedented
opportunity to see the Lords healing and
renewing power made manifest as we call on
citizens to humbly come before His throne.
Our theme for 2016 is Wake Up America,
emphasizing the need for individuals,
corporately and individually, to return to the
God of Fathers in reverence for His Holy
Name. To further highlight our theme, weve
chosen Isaiah 58:1a as our Scripture for
this year: Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
For the May 5th observances, Dr. Tony Evans,

the 2016 Honorary Chairman, wrote a special
prayer to be simultaneously read throughout
the nation at noon (ET). This recitation will
create a huge wave of prayer, flowing from

one coast to the other, illustrating the unity
of Gods people and acknowledging His
dominion over the circumstances facing
us. Millions of people will gather to pray
at thousands of events facilitated by our
volunteer coordinators and people just like
you! We hope youll join with our staff again
as we seek to bring more communities than
ever before together in prayer. As a way of
assisting you, we have assembled a variety
of resources that equip you to organize
and publicize prayer gatherings, citywide
prayer breakfasts, worship services, and
rallies. These materials also present creative
ideas geared toward helping individuals and
families to establish meaningful devotional
times. If you have any questions after
reviewing these items, please dont hesitate
to contact our NDP staff at (800) 444-8828.
We would count it a privilege to lend a hand

in whatever manner we are able.
At this crucial time for our nation, we can do
nothing more important than pray. Thank
you in advance for making this spiritual
discipline a personal priority and for standing
with us as we encourage others to incorporate
prayer in their lives. The Lord has graciously
anointed our efforts, empowering them to
touch and change many hearts and lives.
We look forward to seeing His hand move
across our land in exciting ways each May
in response to our petitions! In closing, we
ask that you prayerfully consider becoming
a volunteer in your church or community to
lead a National Day of Prayer gathering. May
the Lords peace fill your heart as you rest in
Him throughout the days ahead.
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Where is Our Heart?
For where your treasure is, there

your heart will be also. Matthew
6:21
those who came to the American

colonies with a sincere desire to
seek God and religious freedom.
In Jesus name, tear down the idol of

mammon (money) that has taken up
residence in America today.
Years ago I heard a famous preacher

tell about a conversation he had
with the president of a South
American nation. The president of
that nation told the preacher that
he had discovered the roots of the
difference between the United States
and his own nation: Our ancestors
came to these shores looking for
gold, but your ancestors came
looking for God. Thats a profound
difference. And probably a little
distorted, in that certainly there were
some early settlers in America who
came looking for gold, too. But that
leader was right in understanding
that there was a solid segment of
What are we seeking now as a

nation? God or gold? All too often we
have been known as a nation that
is interested more in money and
things than in God and people. This
attitude has infected the church
as well as the nation. There is no
doubt that the love of money is one
of the key idols in our nation, and is
standing in the way of another great
move of God in our midst. Where
is your heart today? Your answer
indicates where your treasure is.
Lord Jesus, You spoke so often

about money and the danger it can
represent to us. Yet, You also used
the wealth of the rich to accomplish
Your mission. Help us to walk in
that biblical understanding of both
the danger and blessing of money.
Forgive us for making an idol out of
money or material things. Especially,
Lord, forgive us when such idolatry
happens in Your church. Help us
to live lives that are free from greed
and coveting, that we might be a
prophetic voice to our nation. May
we become a nation that treasures
You far more than we treasure gold.
Ask the Lord to reveal clearly to you

where your treasure is.
Let us therefore come boldly to the

throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
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May 1, 2016
Why Pray?
We pray because
We love God. We spend
time with God in prayer and
communion because we love
him. Just as a man and woman
in love desire to be together
and communicate, so we if
we love God will desire to be
with Him and to fellowship with
Him in proportion to our love
for Him.
We depend on God. God
is our source. He is our life
(Colossians 3:4). Through
prayer we receive the comfort,
the strength and all the other
resources that we need in life
both naturally and spiritually.
Prayer relationship to God is
as necessary to the spiritual life
as air to the natural life.
We need to resist
temptation. Watch and
pray, lest you enter into
temptation. (Mt. 26:41). Much

sin is the result of the sin of
prayerlessness. Through lack
of prayer, we are weak, others
are weaker and Satan gains the
advantage in our lives.
It is necessary for men to
invite God to act in salvation.
God gave the earth to Adam
and his descendants. We
must invite God to work here.
If no-one invites God to work
here, Satan (the god of this
world through mans universal
rebellion 2 Corinthians 4:4)
will dominate the affairs of men
and eventually the judgment
of God will come. By inviting
God often and specifically,
multitudes can be saved that
would otherwise be lost.
God commands us to
pray. Continue earnestly in
prayer, being vigilant in it with
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thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2).
Then he [Jesus] spoke a parable
to them to this end, that men
ought always to pray and not lose
heart. (Luke 18:1). The need to
pray is as great as the authority of
God which commands us: Pray
without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians
5:17). Prayer is so vital to all that
God wants to do on the earth,
and so essential to us, that God
commands us to do it all the time.
We should even deny ourselves
sleep and food at times in order
to pray more and with greater
power. (Matthew 6:16; Luke 6:12;
Luke 21:36; Colossians 4:2; 2
Corinthians 11:27).
As American troops stormed the
beaches of Normandy, President
Franklin Roosevelt called for our
nation to unite in prayer. He also
offered a prayer to prepare each
citizen for the road ahead.
Let our hearts be stout, to wait
out the long travail, to bear sorrows
that may come, to impart our
courage unto our sons wheresoever
they may be. And, O Lord, give us
faith. Give us faith in Thee. FDR
The victory that followed on June 6,
1944, also known as D-Day, began
the march to Berlin. Eighteen
months later, WWII was over and
one of the worlds greatest evils
had been defeated. The prayers of
a nation had been a powerful force.
Prayer has always been used
in this country for guidance,
protection and strength-even
before we were a nation or a
handful of colonies. The Pilgrims at
Plymouth relied on prayer during
their first and darkest winter. Our
founding fathers also called for
prayer during the Constitutional
Convention. In their eyes, our
May 1, 2016
recently created nation and

freedoms were a direct gift from
God. And being a gift from God,
there was only one way to insure
protection-through prayer.
It is the duty of nations, as well
as men, to owe their dependence
upon the overruling power of God.
Abraham Lincoln
When it came to the fate of the
nation, Abraham Lincoln practiced
what he preached. Before the
battle of Gettysburg, he turned to
God in prayer. He said that he went
to his room one day, locked the
door and got down on his knees
before Almighty God and prayed
mightily for victory at Gettysburg.
Won by the Union, Gettysburg was
one of the turning points in the
war that ended slavery and kept
the states united. Today the need
for prayer is as great as ever. Our
nation again faces battlefields,
along with an epidemic of broken
homes, violence, sexual immorality
and social strife. As the heroes
of our nation did in the past, we
must again bow our heads in
prayer. We must ask the Lord to
bless our leaders with wisdom
and protection, and that we will
have the fortitude to overcome the
challenges at hand. If Roosevelt,
the Pilgrims and Lincoln never
underestimated the power of
prayer, neither should we.
It is our goal that you, your family,
and friends would participate in
the National Day of Prayer. We
pray that the event impacts your
life, and that praying for our nation
moves from a one-day event to a
lifetime endeavor. So join us on the
first Thursday in May and pray with
conviction that God would continue
to shed His grace on thee.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and
strength, a very present
help in trouble. Therefore
will not we fear
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May 1, 2016
Justice
For
All

This is what the LORD Almighty
says: Administer true justice;
show mercy and compassion to
one another. Zechariah 7:9
privileged, the stranger, and the

outcast. The nation that wants the
blessing of God will ensure justice
for all!
Have you considered the fact that

a nation committed to justice for
all is a nation that God can bless?
God is passionate about justice
because it is in accordance with
His nature to be just in all His
dealings. When nations base their
laws and institutions on principles
of justice for all, the God of justice
is pleased.
Thank the Lord that He is a

God of justice and shows no
favoritism.
Of course, this means that the

contrary is true as well. When
injustice creeps in, it brings with
it the displeasure of God. God
especially seems to look out for
the welfare of those whom society
overlooks . . . the poor, the less-
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Pray for our judicial system

and lawmakers, that justice for
all, tempered by mercy and
compassion, will guide our nation.
I thank You, Lord, that You are
perfectly just in all Your ways. You
deal with us impartially, imparting
justice while showing mercy and
compassion. Help us to be like
You in this way.
Im grateful, Lord, that the United
States has built justice into its

very foundation. Forgive us when
we have failed to carry out what
we say we believe in. Help us as
a nation to offer justice to all and
not to discriminate in the way that
justice is administered.
I pray for the judicial system of
this nation. Restore godliness to
the courts of our land. May those
who make our laws do so with
a deep commitment to justice
for all. In the name of Jesus,
we come against any spirit of
privilege or special interests that
would mar the true administration
of justice. We cry out with the
prophet Amos, Let justice roll on
like a river (Amos 5:24). May a
river of justice and righteousness
sweep across our nation!
May 1, 2016
Prayer in Times of Trouble

We sometimes feel a bit ashamed
to find that most of our prayers
occur during severe hardships.
Yet Martin Luther seemed to view
the situation differently:
Except under troubles, trials,
vexations, prayer cannot rightly
be made. God says: Call on me
in the time of trouble; without
trouble it is only a bald prattling,
and not from the heart; it is a
common saying: Need teaches
to pray.
Thats a strong statement! God
certainly wants us to pray at
all times, not just in moments
of crisis (1 Thessalonians
11
5:17). But Luther makes his

pointwhen times are good, our
natural tendency is to drift away
from God. Likewise, trials seem
to bring out our most fervent
prayers. Lets thank God for
allowing troubles that drive us
closer to Him.
P.R.A.Y. for Today
Praise and thank God for the
burdens in your life; repent of
any failure to be grateful for
them; ask for His help in the
specific difficulties you currently
face; yield to Him by not
complaining.
May 1, 2016
Experiencing
God
In Experiencing God, Henry

T. Blackaby and Claude V. King
write:
Your personal prayer life
may primarily be one-way
communicationyou talking
to God. Prayer is more than
that. Prayer includes listening
as well. In fact, what God says
in prayer is far more important
than what you say
God speaks to His people by

the Holy Spirit through prayer
Genuine prayer does not lead to
an encounter with God. It is an
encounter with God.
Through prayer, God quickens
our spirit by the power of
His Holy Spirit. Thats an
experience we dont want to
miss!
P.R.A.Y. for Today
Prayer is a relationship, not just

a religious activity. Prayer is
designed more to adjust you to
God than to adjust God to you.
God doesnt need your prayers,
but he wants you to pray. You
need to pray because of what
God wants to do in and through
your life during your praying.
Blessed is
the nation
whose God
is the
LORD
Praise God for His eternal

perfection; repent of any
attempts to adjust God to
yourself; ask Him to adjust
you to Him; yield to Him by
making whatever changes are
necessary.
Here for you since 1950!

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May 1, 2016
13
The Hope for America

Written By Greg Laurie
I really didnt have a lot to do with the

church during my childhood. It was not
something I was familiar with. But after I
became a Christian at age 17, there was
a very persistent guy on my high-school
campus who made himself my friend. He
walked up and told me that he noticed I
had become a Christian. Then he said that
he wanted to take me to church. I said, I
really dont want to go to church. Thats
OK. But he wouldnt take no for an answer.
I still remember walking into Calvary Chapel
in Costa Mesa, California. It was during
the Jesus Movement, and the place was
overflowing with young people. When I saw
the place was full, I was relieved, because
I thought we wouldnt have to stay. So I
said to my friend, Well, there is no room
in there. But sure enough, someone in
the front row saw me, recognized me from
school and waved us over. So we ended up
sitting in the front row. What I didnt realize
at the time was that I had a front-row seat to
a genuine revival.
Then Pastor Chuck Smith walked out a
middle-aged bald man. That is the last
thing I wanted. I thought, He is like a
teacher. This is going to be so boring!
But then, as he opened up the Bible and
began speaking, it made sense to me. It
was relevant to me. And my heart began
to change. Two years later, I found myself
in the Southern California city of Riverside,
planting a church myself.
Fast-forward 40 years, and now I am the
old bald guy. But I am as committed to
the mission of the church as I was on that
day I first discovered how wonderful the
church can be. And I believe that the hope
for America is the church. Some might be
thinking, Now, Greg, wait. I thought you
said the hope for America is a revival. Isnt
it really God? Yes, it is. The hope is God

working through his church. And what is
revival? It is Christians getting back to what
they should have always been in the first
place. It is Christians coming back to life.
Here is what God has to say to a nation that
wants to be healed:
If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek
my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven, and I will
forgive their sin and will heal their land
(2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).
You know, true prayer is what happens
when our will is aligned with Gods will. The
objective of prayer is not to get God to do
what we want Him to do, its to get us to
do, what He wants us to do. And we can be
assured that we pray to a God who does not
turn a deaf ear to our prayers. In fact, He
desires to communicate with us, and in this
way. Listen, God hears the prayers of His
people.
If we want to see our land healed, God says
that it starts with his people. Christians need
to live up to their name: Christ-followers.
They need to be Christ-like. And if the
church would be what it was meant to be,
then it would change our country.
The 2016 theme for the National Day of
Prayer, is Wake Up America. Isnt that
fitting? Man, if our country ever needed
prayer, its right now. And this theme is
based on Isaiah 58:1, which says, Shout it
a loud, do not hold back. Raise your voice
like a trumpet. Indeed, as I said before, He
is our hope. So I challenge you today, will
you pray for America?
If you want to host, attend, or learn more
about the National Day of Prayer, please
visit nationaldayofprayer.org.
14
May 1, 2016
Persevere in Prayer
Jesus once told a story about
a widow who repeatedly asked
a judge for justice against an
adversary:
For some time [the judge]
refused. But finally he said to
himself, Even though I dont
fear God or care about men,
yet because this widow keeps
bothering me, I will see that
she gets justice, so that she
wont eventually wear me out
with her coming! And the Lord
[Jesus] said, Listen to what the
unjust judge says. And will not
God bring about justice for his
chosen ones, who cry out to him
day and night? (Luke 18:4-7)
Scripture says that Jesus told

the disciples this parable to
show that men ought always
to pray, and not to faint (Luke
18:1, KJV). Let us never faint
from the privilege of bowing
before God in prayer!
Prayer Focus: Praise God for
His patient teaching on prayer;
Repent of any fainting youve
done when youve failed to
persevere; Ask for His help to
be faithful in prayer in the midst
of lifes stresses; Yield to Him by
joyfully persevering even when
youre tempted to give up.
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May 1, 2016
15
Seeking God
You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your
heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Can you even imagine living in

a nation where we talk about
seeking the Lord together as a
people? It certainly has happened
before in the United States. From
presidents to preachers, we have
employed this sort of language
through the years to describe the
spiritual longing we should have
for our Creator. But somewhere
along the line we quit seeking.
Even those who should have
known better did not pursue God
with their whole heart.
God is not hiding. He desires to

be found. But His people are
so caught up in so many other
things that we have forgotten our
first love. We must repent and
turn. It is time for another Great
Awakening in our nation that
begins with those who commit to
seek the Lord with all their hearts.
Pray for a spirit of repentance to
fall upon the church in America
that would cause us to turn back
to God and seek Him.
Pray for bold leaders who begin to

speak in all spheres of life of the
need to seek the Lord.
Lord, forgive me for getting

caught up in so many activities
and things that I have failed to put
You first. Give me a seeking heart.
Help me not to be content with
anything less than You Yourself.
What I ask for myself, I ask for the
whole church. May our church
services be filled with the weeping
of those who realize how we have
failed to seek You passionately.
Help us to be a people desperate
for Your presence and not content
with anything else. Please raise
up those in every aspect of life
who will call for and model the
seeking life.
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16
May 1, 2016
Pray for
Revival
Do not conform any longer to

the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what Gods
will ishis good, pleasing and
perfect will. Romans 12:2
Pray for a transformation in the

church through a renewing of our
minds through the Word of God.
The nation cannot afford a

sidelined church, taken out by
worldliness and confusion. The
Apostle Paul commands believers
to allow ourselves no longer to be
conformed by worldly patterns,
but rather to be transformed by
the renewing of our minds. Only
then we will understand the will
of God, not just for our own lives,
but so that we can be a prophetic
voice to our nation. Sometimes
the best way to pray for our
nation is to pray for revival in the
church!
Lord, forgive us, Your people,

for our timidity, worldliness,
and failure to be the light and
salt that our nation desperately
needs. Transform us! May Your
Word bring lasting change to our
minds and lifestyles. Help us
then to speak with boldness as
we understand more and more of
Your will. Help us not so much to
seek political power as to seek to
speak Your wisdom into political
situations.
Ask the Lord for the church to

rise up with a strong prophetic
voice for America.
Job 9:27
If I say, I will forget my
complaint, I will change my
expression, and smile.
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May 1, 2016
The Christians Lifeline
At one point in his ministry, Jim Cymbala,

author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, sensed
that God had a message for him:
If you and your wife will lead my people
to pray and call upon my name, you will
never lack for something fresh to preach.
I will supply all thats needed, both for
the church and for your family, and you
will never have a building large enough
to contain the crowds I will send in
response.
As the peoples prayers were answered,
the Cymbalas saw a wider application to
the truths they were learning:
Prayer is the source of the Christian
life, a Christians lifeline Pastors and
17
churches have to get uncomfortable

enough to say, We are not New
Testament Christians if we dont have a
prayer life.
If you make that kind of commitment to

prayer this very day, you too can connect
to the source of Christian life and watch
God supply all thats needed for you and
your family.
P.R.A.Y. for Today
Praise God for being a Shepherd to your
church; repent of any failure to seek His
power; ask God for a breakthrough in
your churchs ministry; yield by praying
for this with others.
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18
May 1, 2016
How to Know God

For God so loved the world that He
gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
STEP 2 OUR PROBLEM:

Separation
God created us in His own image to
have an abundant life. He did not
make us as robots to automatically
love and obey Him, but gave us
a will and a freedom of choice.
We chose to disobey God and go
our own willful way. We still make
this choice today. This results in
separation from God.
I have come that they may have

life, and that they may have it more
abundantly. John 10:10b
The Bible Says

For all have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Since God planned for us to have

peace and the abundant life right
now, why are most people not
having this experience?
For the wages of sin is death,

but the gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23
STEP 1 GODS PURPOSE:

Peace and Life
The Bible Says
we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
PROUDLY
2016
Prayer
Our choice results in separation from penalty for our sin and bridging the
God. Through the ages, individuals
gap between God and people.
have tried in many ways to bridge
this gap without success
The Bible Says
God is on one side and all the
people on the other side, and Christ
The Bible Says
There is a way that seems right
Jesus, Himself man, is between
them to bring them together
to man, but in the end it leads to
death. Proverbs 14:12
1 Timothy 2:5
But your iniquities have separated
you from your God; and your sins
have hidden His face from you, so
that He will not hear.
Isaiah 59:2
There is only one remedy for this
problem of separation
STEP 3 GODS REMEDY:
The Cross
Jesus Christ is the only answer to
this problem. He died on the cross
and rose from the grave, paying the
For Christ also has suffered once

for sins, the just for the unjust, that
He might bring us to God
1 Peter 3:18a
But God demonstrates His own
love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
God has provided the only way
We must make the choice
-cont. on page 19
National Day of Prayer Breakfast
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Thursday, May 5 7:00 am

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114 Victory Lane, Statesville, NC 28625
704-881-0410
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STEP 4 GODS PROVISION: Jesus 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for
you on the cross and rose from
Christ
the grave.
We must trust Jesus Christ and
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus
receive Him by personal invitation.
Christ to come in and control
your life through the Holy Spirit.
The Bible Says
(Receive Him as Lord and
But as many as received Him, to
Savior.)
them He gave the right to become
children of God, even to those who
What to pray
believe in His name. John 1:12
Dear Lord Jesus,
if you confess with your mouth the I know that I am a sinner and need
Lord Jesus and believe in your heart Your forgiveness. I believe that You
died for my sins. I want to turn from
that God has raised Him from the
my sins. I now invite You to come into
dead, you will be saved.
my heart and life. I want to trust and
Romans 10:9
follow You as Lord and Savior.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Where are you at Right Now?
Is there any good reason why you
cannot receive Jesus Christ right now? STEP 5 GODS ASSURANCE:
His Word
If you prayed the prayer above,
HOW TO RECEIVE CHRIST
1. Admit your need (I am a sinner). the Bible says
2. Be willing to turn from your sins For whoever calls upon the name
of the Lord will be saved.
(repent).
Romans 10:13
For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith and this is not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God
not by works, so that no one can
boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
May 1, 2016
19
every believer this is called

regeneration or the new birth.
STEP 6 GODS PLAN:
Get Started
This is just the beginning of a
wonderful new life in Christ. To
deepen this relationship you should:
Did you sincerely ask Jesus Christ to

come into your life? Where is He right
1. Read your Bible every day to
now? What has He given you?
know Christ better.
2. Talk to God in prayer every day.
The Bible Says
He who has the Son has life; he
3. Tell others about Christ.
4. Worship, fellowship, and serve
who does not have the Son of God
does not have life. These things I
with other Christians in a church
where Christ is preached.
have written to you who believe in
the name of the Son of God, that you 5. As Christs representative in a
needy world, demonstrate your
may know that you have eternal life,
new life by your love and concern
and that you may continue to believe
for others.
in the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5:12,13 (NKJV)
May God richly bless you in your new
faith
Receiving Christ, we are born into
Gods family through the supernatural Welcome to the family of God!
work of the Holy Spirit who indwells
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20
May 1, 2016
Gods Reign
You, O LORD, reign forever; your throne

endures from generation to generation.
Lamentations 5:19
Written By Dave Butts
In December of 2000, I spent some time

on top of the World Trade Center in New
York City with some prayer warrior friends,
praying over the city. I wouldnt have
believed it then if you had told me that nine
months later those towers would collapse.
Something so big, solid, and sturdy should
have lasted for many, many years. Yet we
live in a world that, sometimes quickly
and sometimes through the centuries, is
disintegrating and passing away.
Thats hard to hear when you speak

of nations, especially if you happen to
be praying for your own nation. Yet the
testimony of history is that nations rise and
nations fall. Certainly this gives urgency to
our prayers for America. But it also causes
us to realize that the reign of the Lord lasts
far beyond any individual nation. In times of
turmoil and change, we hold fast to the truth
of Gods Word: His rule is not dependent
upon any nation. His throne endures
forever.
Ask the Lord to awaken the church to the
temporary nature of the nations and to the
eternal nature of the reign of God.
-cont. on page 21
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May 1, 2016
21
As you pray for the United States,

ask the Lord to help us as a nation to
fulfill His purposes for us.
Lord, what peace fills my heart as
I consider Your eternal throne. In a
world in which everything seems to
change so fast, and so many things
fade and fall, how good it is to know
You never change. Your throne, Your
rule, continues from generation to
generation. There will never be a
generation for which You are not
Lord, even if that generation does not
acknowledge You.
Even as we pray for our beloved
nation, we realize that there will
come a time when it ceases to exist.
My prayer, Lord, is that before that
time, we would fulfill the purposes
You have for us. Help us, Lord, to be
a nation that brings honor and glory
to Your name!
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22
May 1, 2016
The Lord is Our Provider
We trust you had a blessed time

as we celebrated the birth of our
Savior last week. With the New
Year fast approaching, we wanted
to share a few helpful insights from
our friend, Nancy Leigh DeMoss:
I am so thankful for the many
valuable lessons my father, Arthur
S. DeMoss, taught me about a
Biblical perspective on money and
material possessions. As both a
successful businessman and an
earnest follower of Jesus Christ,
he was a living illustration of those
principles. As I look back on my
dads life, I see several reasons for
the blessing of God on his life:
1. He put God first, above
everything else. He believed that

the greatest wealth was knowing
God. This priority was evident as
he gave the first hour of every day
to the study of Gods Word and
Prayer. In the twenty-eight years
that he knew Christ, there was not
a single day when anything else
came before that hour alone with
God.
Christ? He generally found out the

answer to that question within the
first minutes of any conversation,
even if the primary purpose of the
meeting was business-related.
Since his death, many people

have shared with me the results
of Dads personal ministry. Just
recently a woman introduced
herself to me after I spoke in a
He put God first in his business, in conference. She said, My father
spite of the prevailing opinion that is in heaven today because of your
dad. A Jewish businessman told
Biblical ethics cannot be applied
me, Your dad led dozens and
in the business world. Whenever
Dad met anyone for the first time, dozens of my Jewish friends to
Christ. What a thrilling report!
whether in a business context
or in the course of traveling, the
Christ was also first in our home.
uppermost question on his mind
Dad talked little about the
was, Does this person know
business. He talked much about

Jesus. The greatest inheritance he
left my siblings and me was the
example of commitment to love
God more than anything or anyone
else.
2. He recognized God as the
source of every material blessing.
He taught us not to look to an
employer or parent or a husband
as the source of our income, but
to look to the Lord as our Provider.
And he taught us that we are
as utterly dependent on God to
provide when we have a regular,
substantial income as when we
have no visible means of support.
-cont. on page 23
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6 Be anxious for nothing, but

in everything by prayer and
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made known to God; 7 and
the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
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3. He acknowledged Gods right
to give and to take away material
blessings. This is the reason he
was able to be as grateful and
content in times of material loss
as in times of tremendous gain.
I remember one twelve-month
period during which we lost our
home in a fire, my mother almost
lost her life with a massive brain
tumor, and my dad lost many
millions of dollars in far less time
than it took to accumulate it.
Through all those months, his
faith, joy, and serenity were never
diminished, because he recognized
and trusted the sovereignty of God.
and leading others to Christ, the

privilege of giving the vast majority
of his income was probably
the greatest joy of my dads
life. He steadfastly rejected the
recommendations of tax advisers
that he save and invest more. He
sincerely believed that it was more
blessed to give than to receive
(Acts 20:35).
The model of my dads life and

teaching in this matter of giving
has profoundly impacted my life.
As a result of his influence, I have
learned the joy of asking the Lord,
when I receive any form of income,
Do You want me to invest this in
Your kingdom? And when I hear
4. He saw himself not as a
recipient, but as a channel of Gods of a need of another person or
ministry, the question on my heart
blessings. He believed that God
is, Do You want to use me to help
gives to His children, not so they
can store up things that dont last, meet that need?
but so they can meet the needs
Perhaps this is where genuine
of others. Next to knowing God
revival begins- with the willingness

(and eagerness) to give everything
we are and have to God, and to
be channels through whom He
can bless and meet the needs of
others. Is that too much for Him to
ask? For you know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that though
He was rich, yet for your sakes He
became poor, that you through His
poverty might become rich
(2 Corinthians 8:9).
May 1, 2016
23
Giving is down as we head into

the year-end so please prayerfully
consider a contribution to the
ministries of the National Day
of Prayer. Your gift will make a
significant impact in the lives of
people around the country and
beyond.
24
May 1, 2016
Prayer Versus Sleep

In Gethsemane, Jesus returned
to his disciples and found them
sleeping. Could you men not
keep watch with me for one
hour? he asked Peter. Watch
and pray so that you will not
fall into temptation. The spirit is
willing, but the body is weak
(Matthew 26:40-41).
to receive it either in a state of

insensibility, or in the folly of
dreams.
Sleep is essential, but prayer is
even more important. Ask God to
help you find the right balance in
your life.
P.R.A.Y. for Today
In A Serious Call to a Devout

and Holy Life, William Law says:
Prayer is the nearest approach to
God, and the highest enjoyment
of Him, that we are capable of
in this life On the other hand,
sleep is the poorest, dullest
refreshment of the body so
far from being intended as an
enjoyment, that we are forced
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. John 3:16
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Praise God for His grace in

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changing your prayer routine to
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May 1, 2016
25
Praying for Wisdom

Do not forsake wisdom, and
she will protect you; love her,
and she will watch over you.
Proverbs 4:6
Thank God for the gift of

wisdom, and for the ability to
see things from His perspective
as we turn to His Word.
wisdom this day. We embrace

the wisdom from above that
allows us to see matters from
Your perspective.
Biblically speaking, wisdom is

looking at things from Gods
perspective and making the
right choices based on that
perspective. How critical it
is for a nation that wants to
experience Gods protection to
love and embrace wisdom! As
the United States increasingly
accepts a secular mindset
and rejects divine revelation
as a basis for our laws, we
move farther away from the
protection offered by wisdom.
Repent on behalf of our nation,

because we have turned from
making Scripture the basis of
law, leaving behind wisdom,
and looking to ourselves for
truth.
What we ask for ourselves

personally, we also ask for our
nation. Forgive us, Lord, for
turning from Your ways and the
wisdom that is Your Word. Our
country has sought wisdom
and direction from polls and
surveys and other nations
rather than looking to You.
We have called Your wisdom
myth and have called that
which is foolishness wisdom.
I thank You, Lord, that You

are a God of wisdom and
revelation. You do not hide
wisdom from us, but rather
have told us that we only need
to ask and You will freely give
it. So, Father, we ask You for
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26
May 1, 2016
Spiritual Warfare
When you go into battle in your
own land against an enemy who
is oppressing you, sound a blast
on the trumpets. Then you will be
remembered by the LORD your God
and rescued from your enemies.
Numbers 10:9
Todays Scripture speaks of fighting
battles within our own land. Though
written to Israel, there is certainly a
spiritual principle for us today. And
we need to hear it because we are
indeed in a war in our own land. It
is not melodramatic at all to declare
that there is a war in the spirit realm
for the soul of America. Years ago,
someone once reportedly said,
America has the soul of a church.

Is that how you would describe the
soul of America today?
Scripture always portrays Satan as
attempting to maneuver nations
against the kingdom of God, and he
is often successful. For many years,
the godly foundation and prayers of
the faithful kept our nation at least
somewhat close to the purposes of
God. This spiritual war, though, has
intensified through the years, and we
certainly find ourselves in a battle in
our own land against an enemy who
desires to oppress us.
-cont. on page 27
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May 1, 2016
27
Thank the Lord for His promise of

remembering us and of rescuing
us from our enemies.
Ask the Lord to help strengthen
the trumpet call to intensive prayer,
so that it is heard throughout the
church in the United States.
Father, forgive me for not always
being aware of the war that is going
on in our nation. Awaken me and
all of Your people to the reality of
what the Enemy is doing to destroy
our foundations. Teach us to pray
as You taught us to pray, so that we
would be delivered from the Evil
One. Help us, Lord, to heed the
call of the trumpet to pray as never
before. Show us the extent of the
battles and help us not to wage war
in the flesh but in the Spirit. Thank
You, Lord, for Your promise to
remember us and to rescue us!
Remember us for your next event!

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for up to 150 people.
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Kannapolis is pleased to offer a venue for all your holiday party
needs. With comfortable seating and full access to the kitchen and
banquet room, we can accommodate a small group and up to 150
attendees.
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28
May 1, 2016
Does Prayer
Work?
Written by John Bornschein
On the First Thursday in May,

the National Day of Prayer (NDP)
will take place and millions of
Americans will unite at more
than 43,000 locations from
coast to coast to pray. Every
year there is a theme that the
Chairman of the NDP Task
Force, Mrs. Shirley Dobson,
wife of Family Talk founder, Dr.
James Dobson, will select as a
rally cry, and at 12 noon, a
prayer will be given in unison
throughout communities large
and small.
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and

thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness. I Timothy 2:1-2
So, this begs the question; does

prayer work? After all, why would
millions of people stop what they
are doing, gather together and
then speak into the air or in the
thought recesses of their minds
with some expectation that things
are really going to change? Is
there truly someone listening who
can do anything about the current
state of affairs in our homes, work
places, communities or even our
nation? Our leaders have called
for National Days of Prayer since
1775, so where is all the change
these people have been crying
out to God for?
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Before we can talk about whether

or not prayer makes a difference in
our nation, we have to first address
prayer for what it is and if it is
making a difference in our personal
lives. So, lets jump into one of the
greatest theological questions of
all time. It was the disciples who
inquired first, so you are not alone.
While Jesus was praying he was
asked, Lord, teach us to pray,
just as John (known as John the
Baptist) taught his disciples (Luke
11:1). They could have asked him
anything. They could have asked,
Lord, teach us how to turn water
into wine or Lord, teach us to
raise the dead. No, they asked

him how to pray and what he did
was teach them how to build a
personal relationship with God.
Then and only then could they
be ready to learn how to pray as
a group with an understanding of
what a solemn assembly was all
about.
Jennifer Kennedy Dean states,
Prayer is an interchange of love
between the Father and His child.
That desire you feel to pray is
His love drawing you to delight in
Him. You only need to respond.1
-cont. on page 29
Countryside Baptist Church is united in purpose, committed

to the gospel and enjoying life in Jesus.
We would love for you to join us in one or more of our services.
Sundays
Sunday School - 10:00 am (classes for all ages)
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www.csbcstatesville.com

For Christians, prayer (proseuche
in Greek) is communion with
God. It is the medium of divine
revelation. Through prayer, we
actually experience relationship with
God. The quality of our prayer life
then determines the quality of our
relationship with God.
Prayer is talking with God and
listening to Him, and it is enjoying
the presence of God. In his book,
Prayer on Fire, Fred Hartley
describes prayer as, What we
do. It is our initiative to meet God,
whether we are asking for favors,
singing in celebration, or crying
out in distress. Regardless of what
shape or size in comes in, prayer is
our effort to engage God.2 Prayer
can take many forms, including
worship, confession, thanksgiving,
praise, petition (asking for what we
need and desire), waiting (silent
listening and sensing of God), and
warfare (command).3 As believers,
we can pray in the Spiriteven in
language that may be unknown to
us but is fully known to God (1 Cor
14:2, 2728; Romans 8).
May 1, 2016
29
where we cannot be distracted in

our time with Him.
God desires relationship, but for
many years I was preoccupied
with works. Not only that, I was
preoccupied with self. When I
prayed, it was a preconceived line
of thought followed by a list of
needs and I was often impatient for
results. In my mind, God needed
to provide fast results, and if one
prayer was not sufficient, I took
measures into my own hands. Hey,
at least I gave God a chance to
perform, and then I did what any
good Christian should do, right? But
I was still missing the point.
The Apostle Paul tells us in
Philippians 3:10,
[For my determined purpose is]
that I may know Him [that I may
progressively become more deeply
and intimately acquainted with
Him, perceiving and recognizing
and understanding the wonders
of His Person more strongly and
more clearly], and that I may in that
same way come to know the power
outflowing from His resurrection
[which it exerts over believers], and
that I may so share His sufferings
as to be continually transformed [in
spirit into His likeness even] to His
death. (amp)
Our goal through prayer must be

to know God better, to experience
the fullness of relationship with
Him. Through prayer, we honor
Him. We give something back to
the Almighty, something He desires
greatly. God reveals Himself to us in And in Ephesians 1:17, he wrote,
the prayer closeta quiet place
I keep asking that the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious

Father, may give you the Spirit of
wisdom and revelation, so that you
may know him better. Paul got it.
And he wasnt alone. Enoch, the
great-grandfather of Noah, had
such a deep relationship with God
that one day God just took him to
heaven (Gen 5:2223). Later, Elijah,
who lived every day in wholehearted
devotion to the Father, was escorted
to heaven in a chariot of fire. That
must have been an incredible sight.
relationship with us. There is no

truer point in all theology. Indeed,
the thrust of Gods communication
with mankind over the course of
history has always been relational
and not conceptual. Thats why
he actually prefers it when we
come to have faith in him through
prayer, instead of through logical
arguments alone. God doesnt just
want to satisfy a curiosity we have,
He wants to enter into a friendship
with us.4
If you knew that ours was the last

generation before the coming of
Christ, how would you live? When
you stand before the throne of
God, will you know Him intimately
as your friend, or will you be a
stranger? Are you going through
The fact is that we have a God who the routine of your Christian walk
without experiencing friendship
loves to communicate. And the
reason is that communication is the with Elohim? Through Spirit-led
prayer, your eyes will be opened,
starting point for any relationship.
and you will have an indescribable
Everyone has heard it said that
God wants to be able to have a
-cont. on page 30
Throughout time, God has opened
Himself up to men and women to
initiate friendship. Friends with the
Almightywhat a concept! In Ten
Prayers God Always Says Yes To,
DeStefano states,
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30
May 1, 2016
relationship with God that is rich

and fulfilling.
In Experiencing Prayer with
Jesus, Dr. Henry Blackaby writes,
How deep is your relationship with
the Lord as you pray? Do you pour
your heart out to Him with complete
confidence and trust in His help,
because youve come to know and
experience His love? It takes time,
like any relationship. The more time
you spend with Him, the more youll
come to understand His ways, His
heart, and His will as you pray.5
Prayer is making a difference,
transforming the landscape of
homes and communities across the
globe. A few years ago, Heritage
Builders conducted an unofficial
study of the American family to
determine the factors that increased
overall family health. What they
discovered was truly incredible. A
summary of their findings indicated
that families who ate together at

least four days a week and prayed
at the dinner table showed the
highest percentage of honor roll
students and church-attending
teenagers between the ages of 15
and 19.
You may have heard the saying, A

couple that prays together, stays
together. Although we know this
to be true, it is helpful to examine
the evidence that best supports
this common perception. An article
published in the Journal of Social
and Clinical Psychology had this
A Lifeway Research survey
to say about prayer:8 There is
some evidence that religiosity is
estimates that 70 percent of
similarly related to several positive
Christian teens and young adults
relationship outcomes. Specifically,
will walk away from the Church
greater involvement in religious
during college.6 But families that
prayed together were among the
activities [including prayer] is
30 percent whose teenagers were
related to higher levels of marital
more grounded in their faith.7 In
satisfaction and marital stability
the Lifeway survey, participants
with three longitudinal studies
indicated that prayer was not just
indicating that religiousness
a part of religious practice; rather,
predicts lower risk of divorce and
it was the concerted effort of
divorce proneness. The report
parents making sure that prayer
goes on to cite that prayer may
was emphasized in daily living,
help couples to more often think of
not simply as a response to lifes
the needs of others, be more loving
trials and tribulations. Even secular and forgiving, treat each other with
universities agree that prayer makes respect, and resolve conflict.9
The researchers suggest that the
a difference in relationships.
JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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relationship people experience with
God through prayer helps them
handle their emotions, be more
empathetic, become less selffocused, and gain greater skills in
reconciliation. They also note that
prayer for the partner might prime
partners to think about each other
in more loving or compassionate
terms and so treat each other with
greater respect and sensitivity.
Praying regularly together also
helped couples prevent conflict in
their relationships. Researchers
note that couples who included
God in their marriage through
prayer were more skilled in
problem solving and reconciliation.
Other couples reported that prayer
alleviated tension and facilitated
open communication during
conflict.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is

good. And what does the Lord require
of you? To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
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-cont. on page 31
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With this in mind, imagine what
the action of prayer does for a
community. If religious leaders are
praying for civil leaders, they are
honoring that which God has put
in place. As Romans 13:1 states,
Let everyone be subject to the
governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has
established. Paul also encouraged
believers to pray for their leaders:
I urge that petitions, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be
made for all peoplefor kings and
all those in authority, that we may
live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness. This is
good, and pleases God our Savior,
who wants all people to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the
truth (1 Tim 2:14).
May 1, 2016
31
cruelty or superior attitudes we

may have harbored in our hearts.
I ask You to help my own heart to
be free to bring peace to others,
to work together with others who
The need to pray is as great as the dont share my perspective, and
authority of God, who commands us to make a difference in the world.
The action of prayer is healthy
to pray without ceasing (1 Thess Help me, Father, to be a force for
for a home and a community. We
5:17 nkjv). Prayer is so vital to all
unity (Psalm 133:1). Lord, teach
know that God does hear these
that God wants to do on the earth,
me to be submissive to Your will
prayers, which is where the real
and it is so essential to us, that He
rather than be filled with criticism
power resides and the evidence is
for leaders who do not share my
undeniable. So, with a resounding commands us to do it all the time.
But the key to successful prayer
values. I resist the cynical spirit that
Yes we can say that prayer does
is the relationship that develops
wants to creep in, and I choose
work! It is making a difference in
in and through this interstellar
to trust in Your sovereignty over
our nation today. From the farm
conversation. Sometimes we just
all the situations that trouble me.
lands to the booming metropolis
need to listen, while other times
Help me to remember to show
of this great country, prayer is
require focused intercession, even
proper respect to all people (I Peter
interfering with the plans of the
repentance, praise and petition. If
2:13,17) and to pray for them
enemy and I could share with you
you want to know the will of God, it earnestly, serving as a witness to
story after story of the change that
is discovered only through devotion Your love.
is often unseen or unreported by
the media. From the various reports to the Word through prayer. So,
lets pray as we have never prayed
Lets please God by actively
Father, I pray that You will raise
showing declines in crime, cancer
before and be united in One Voice. up godly and righteous men and
seeking, through prayer, peaceful admissions, abortion, and divorce
and quiet lives for our nation and to the restoration of marriages,
women who are strong to stand
May Gods hand of wisdom and
especially its leaders. Indeed, we
up and represent Your values and
individuals in prisons, new
must remain in fervent prayer for
purposes for our nation. May the
salvations and more. The challenge guidance remain upon each
segment of our society, and
those who serve as representatives we have today is to remain in
right people find favor with the
through His Spirit, may believers
of the people. Mrs. Shirley Dobson prayer. The stories of change are
citizens and be voted into office,
be inspired to pray continually. We and may those who desire to be in
has stated, if Christians would
powerful, showing that God does
are assured that the Almighty hears office but lack the integrity be kept
follow through on this, we would
hear and heal, but the problem
our petitions. As people from coast out. Give our leaders wisdom to
change our lives and the course of is that we often get complacent,
to coast lift their voices in prayer,
history.
govern and spirits that are willing
return to our old ways and then
wonder why our home life, work life repentance, and humility, we simply to work together to do the best for
cannot underestimate how the Lord our nation. Guide and bless them
Truth be told, a nation can be
and national life are all in chaos.
will respond. Let us come before
punished by the actions of its
that they may enact such laws that
His throne with these words on our please You, to the glory of Your
leaders (II Samuel 24) and
The concepts that all men are
disciplined with poor administrators created equal and endowed by their lips and in our hearts, God Bless
name and the welfare of our people,
America!11
because the heart of the people is
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Creator with certain unalienable
wicked (II Kings 17). In the same
Amen
Rights are foundational to our
Lets pray: Lord, we live in a
way, a country can be blessed with country and have had a profound
diverse country with blends of
good leadership because the people impact on the United States and
many cultures, faiths, and values.
honor God (II Chronicles 7:14;
the culture at large. We must
I pray that the power of Your
Jeremiah 3:6-18; Proverbs 8:14continue to pray that God protects
Holy Spirit would move among
16) and Proverbs 29:2 reminds us our nation asking that He would
us and tear down the barriers
that, when the righteous are in
install in office men and women
that divide us. May You breathe
authority, the people rejoice; but
who are committed to serving
upon us and instill in us a desire
when the wicked rule, the people
their constituents with integrity.
for unity and agreement through
groan (nrsv). Therefore, we can
And we must remain in prayer for
a spirit of mutual respect and
honor the structure of leadership
our elections, beseeching God
brotherly love. Forgive us for any
that God has blessed (Exodus
to prompt our fellow citizens to
discrimination or cynicism or
18:21; Deuteronomy 17:14-20), by become involved in this process.
our humble intercession, even if we
do not agree with all the decisions
that those in authority are making,
which is all the more reason to pray
for them.
Voting is both a duty and a privilege,

and the outcomes of our political
races are critical in determining the
future course of our nation. 11
32
May 1, 2016
PROUDLY
SUPPORTS
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