11/07/2016
TGIM! THANK GOD IT’S MONDAY
11-7-16: PRAY FOR AMERICA
A CALL TO PRAYER BY AMERICA’S LEADERS:
A NATION IN THE MAKING: At the formation of the United States, about five weeks into the Constitutional Convention of 1787 when the leaders were futilely attempting to draft the U. S. Constitution, founding father Benjamin Franklin challenged them with a call to prayer. “In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. . . . And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that “except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.” ( from James Madison’s Notes on the Convention for June 28, 1787)
A NATION IN THE BEGINNING: President George Washington explained why he called the nation's first federal day of prayer, "It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” ( proclamation for a National Thanksgiving on October 3, 1789)
A NATION IN CONFLICT: President Abraham Lincoln reminded the nation in the midst of the Civil War: “[I]t is the duty of nations as well . . . and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord [Psalm 33:12]. . . . But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our hearts that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace – too proud to pray to the God that made us.” (Proclamation Appointing a National Fast Day, March 30, 1863)
A NATION IN WORLD WAR 2: "Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization...Help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice." President Franklin D. Roosevelt (June 6, 1944, D-Day Prayer on Allied Invasion of Normandy, France)
If prayer to Almighty God for the nation was important then, it is certainly important now!
A NATION AT THE CROSSROADS: On September 26, 2016 in consideration of the U.S. general election Dr. Alveda King said, “We need to prepare to listen without having our feelings prevent us from hearing truth. This cannot be a personality contest or an emotional who owes us an apology exercise. We can't afford to be distracted by division. We, the Acts 17:26 ‘One Blood, One Human Race’ family must unite in prayer so that God will heal our nation.” Then she quoted her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, "We must learn to live together as brothers [and sisters] or perish as fools." She concluded by saying, “Pray for America.”
This past Sunday morning at First Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, Dr. Charles Stanley said that America is at the crossroads. He stated that America’s future is at stake. And then he changed the worship service into a prayer service, and called the church to an extended time of prayer for America.
And we concur. Pray for America!
Lewis & Lue Gregory
Believe it, receive it, print it, post it.
Most of all, live it!
This is really good news, so please pass it on.
P.S. PRAY THAT AMERICA WILL WAKE UP! Our nation is broken, our nation is hurting and our nation is bewildered. Our nation's only hope is Spiritual Awakening. Only God can restore our nation to greatness. Only God can heal our land. Only God can reconcile our differences. Only God can bring peace on Earth and good will toward men. And when we awake to the Righteous One—Jesus Christ—He will make us whole! So wake up America; rise and be healed in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord! “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Ephesians 5:14). WAKE UP AMERICA! http://www.sourceministries.net/…/the-need-for-spiritual-a…/
P.S.S. PRAYER REQUEST: This Sunday, November 13 I will be conducting a conference on “Faith Walkers” at New Beginning Fellowship in Meridian, MS. Then on Sunday night at 6:00pm, I will be preaching at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Ashland, AL. Please pray that the Lord will open our eyes to behold wondrous things from His Word and that our lives will be transformed (Psalm 119:18).
TGIM! GOOD NEWS: Making the simple truth of God’s Word real and relevant for daily living.
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