Pray for Our Nation and Its Leaders

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened." The power of prayer is a wonderful gift from God, so let us not refuse it! As the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9). Let us reap a huge harvest for the Lord, and let us grow spiritually in the Lord's body. As His brother, James, said,"Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man avails much in its working." (James 5:16)

I believe at this time of year in which we are celebrating the birthday of this great nation, a nation that God has chosen to bless richly in such wonderful ways, that we take the time out of our busy schedules to give Him thanks for all that He has done for us, and to pray for our nation and its leaders, regardless of their political persuasion. Paul wrote to his protege and young preacher friend, Timothy, "I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Why did Paul say this? He answers this question in the very next two verses: "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4) You see, God wants everyone to be saved because He loves us so much! That is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the atonement, the perfect sacrifice, for the sins of all of mankind. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

But God will not accept us if we reject His Son. Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes unto the Father, but by Me." As the Apostle Peter said as he stood before Annas the high priest and the rest of the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:12, "And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." So have some fun with your friends and families this Fourth of July weekend. But please also remember to take some time out from your jubilation to remember to pray for our nation and its leaders, with these words of the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:9 in your mind: "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. "

May the Lord bless you, your family and our nation!