Over 250 Faith Leaders across the nation are asking us to set aside next Sunday, June 2, as a special day of prayer for our President:
“We the undersigned are calling for June 2 to be a special Day of Prayer for the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, that God would protect, strengthen, embolden, and direct him.
“We believe our nation is at a crossroads, at a dangerous precipice. The only one who can fix our country’s problems is God Himself, and we pray that God will bless our president and our nation for His glory.” (https://billygraham.org/story/special-day-of-prayer/)
Story of Britain’s National Day of Prayer— May 26, 1940
If you saw the 2017 movie Dunkirk, you’ll remember how a half million soldiers huddled hopelessly on the shores in late May, 1940, awaiting imminent death or imprisonment. At that desperate moment, churches in Britain and numerous political leaders, newspaper editors, and King George VI issued a call for a national day of prayer on Sunday, May 26.
This national day of prayer is credited with saving Britain from Hitler’s armies at Dunkirk. (https://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/miracles/gods-grace/the-four-miracles-of-dunkirk).
Our country is in distress
Most of us pray best when we have a need, want something, or are in distress. According to Franklin Graham [son of renowned evangelist Billy Graham], our country is in trouble and needs our prayers:
“This is a critical time for America. We’re on the edge of a precipice. Time is short. We need to pray for God to intervene. We need to ask God to protect, strengthen, encourage, and guide the President. … I believe the only hope for him, and this nation, is God.”
Does God answer prayer?
The Bible instructs us to pray for those in authority so that we can lead quiet, peaceable lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
But do you believe God answers prayer? Has he answered prayers for you?
As a mother learning how to pray, I taught my children to go to God and tell him when they needed something or when they were in trouble. So when our youngest said, “Mom, I want a dog—an Irish Setter,” I answered without a thought, “Well, if you want this dog, go tell Jesus about it.”
Next morning when the phone rings, my caller asks, “Do you know anyone who would like an Irish Setter?” She explains about a couple who are expecting their first baby and need a home for their rambunctious dogs.
I naively answered, “Yes, my son does.”
So, with my husband away on a business trip, we drove to this family and discovered not one, but two exuberant Irish Setters. Unsure which one to choose, we came home with both Sadie and Mindy.
The next day, my husband returned. Walking into the dining room, he was overwhelmed by two red-haired animals circling the table. You can imagine what happened—Mindy had to go; Sadie stayed.
But our son discovered that God hears his prayers and answers—abundantly.
Stir up your faith in God and his power
One of the greatest lies is that prayer is not effective, but God cannot lie. He has promised to forgive our sins and heal our land—if we, his people, will humble ourselves, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways, and pray (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Think back over your life and remember some things God has done for you. Then use these memories to stir up your faith as you join together with thousands of people praying for our president and leaders this Sunday.
If you love your country, be sure to pray and spread the word. Tell your friends, family, Sunday school classes, Christian groups, and churches about this day of prayer. You can download a free pdf on specific ways to pray for our leaders from the billygraham web site mentioned earlier.
As you pray, remember that the battle is not against people, but against the spiritual powers of darkness.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places— Ephesians 6:12.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we can proclaim victory over these evil things, proclaiming the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and the spiritual authority he has given to his followers.
Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.
And they overcame him because of the blood of the lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death– Revelation 12:10-11
Resist the devil and he will flee from you — James 4:7.