Happy National Day of Prayer. I hope this day finds you praying. I hope this day is not very different from everyday. I hope that you communicate with God regularly about a whole host of subjects. But I am guessing that you are like me, and prayer can easily slide into a routine that happens before you eat . . . if then. I have grown in my understanding of prayer over the years, and I have benefitted from a change in perspective. Prayer is not just the half hour I spend in the morning, but it is the discussions I have with God in my car on my way to a meeting. It is the quick prayers sent up when I see an ambulance roll past. And it is the thanks I offer as the day is closing and I am nodding off at the end of the day.
I hope that this National Day of Prayer becomes primarily for you about prayer. But I have honestly found that for many it becomes more heavily about the “national”. I don’t want to be critical of anyone in particular, but I have seen this day become everything from an excuse to say that America is going to “hell in a handbasket” to suggesting that God IS an American.
I believe that Satan would love to commandeer a day set aside for the purpose of prayer, and repurpose it for political agendas, denominationalism, and patriotic nationalistic pride. I will be gathering with a group of Christian leaders in the park in Mattawan this evening for the purpose of . . . not talking about prayer, not talking about how our nation needs to pray more, not even extolling the virtues of prayer, but we are gathering to actually pray!
It is excellent that our nation has set aside a day dedicated to prayer! I would encourage all types of prayers be offered up to God. And I am grateful to be part of a faith community that is taking time out this evening to gather together and offer public prayers to God for our community, state, and nation.
How are you celebrating this National Day of Prayer?
