The National Day of Prayer, May 1, 2014

The National Day of Prayer – a tradition of honoring God that began in 1774 at the First Congress – is a call to all of God’s people, that together we may with one voice to "glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6). Let us unite on the largest Solemn Assembly in U.S. History and glorify the Lord, remembering that we are one nation, UNDER GOD.

       Let us pray for our Country, the United States of America; for its citizens, for its leaders; for those who defend and protect us, for those who feed us, heal us, teach us, entertain us, and employ us. For all of this we pray.

   Lord of the Universe.

Lord of this planet.

 Lord of the nations.

 Lord of our hearts. 

On this National Day of Prayer, we look to you…
       In the darkness, you are our Light.
       In the storm, you are our Anchor.

       In our weakness, you are our Strength.

       In our grief, you are our Comfort.
       In our despair, you are our Hope.
       In our confusion, you are our Wisdom.

In time of terrorism, you are our Shield.

In time of war, you are our Peace.

In times of uncertainty, you are the Rock on which we stand.

We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel:

"O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love you and keep your commandments."

       You are merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame because we have sinned against you, and have done wrong.

We have turned away from your commands and principles.

We have turned away from you.

Yet you have promised in Second Chronicles 7:15. . . 

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, than I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be opened and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place."

              So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others, and examine our own hearts and lives.

       We choose to acknowledge our own sin–our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even our rejection of you.

This day we choose to repent.

       In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ; in keeping with all your righteous acts and according to your promise, turn away your anger and your wrath from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions offered to you on this National Day of Prayer, as we give you our full attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.

       For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land.

       We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ who offers us salvation from your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and reconciliation with you through His own bloodshed on the Cross. Amen.

- 2014 National Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz

Numbers 6:24-26

"May The Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; and may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”