Posted by
peripheral on Wednesday, May 06, 2009 6:34:23 AM
From My Perspective - - -
Life is often affected by an ebb and flow pattern. There are high and
low points along the way - times of conflict(s), hardship(s),
challenge(s) – as well as times of triumph, prosperity, advances. In
the midst of this pattern, there should also be a constant; a
foundation; a value system that will enable one to survive any peak or
valley situation or circumstance. A person’s being is complex -
composed of body, soul and spirit – and the internal interaction as
each needs to be satisfied. If there is no constant; no foundation; no
value system – then frustration and despair become the overwhelming
realities. What should be a constant, a foundation, a value system for
our nation today? As we look at the horizon of our world, what should
be our focus (or, Who should be our focus)? Tomorrow, May 7th, we will
observe the 58th National Day of Prayer – a time when the attention and
focus of the populace is to be on our Constant; our Foundation; our
Value System – the Almighty and Eternal God. The theme for this year is
“Prayer - America's Hope" and is based on the verse from PSALM 33:22 which states: “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
Prayer has always been used in this country for guidance, protection
and strength-even before we were a nation or a handful of colonies. The
Pilgrims at Plymouth relied on prayer during their first and darkest
winter. Our founding fathers also called for prayer during the
Constitutional Congress. In their eyes, our recently created nation and
freedoms were a direct gift from God. And being a gift from God, there
was only one way to insure protection - through prayer. An example is
seen as Great Britain came under steady and fierce attack during World
War II, British and French troops were trapped by the German Army at
Dunkirk. The situation was hopeless. It was May 1940. Hitler’s army had
already invaded and conquered Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland,
Luxembourg and Belgium. The French Army, along with large numbers of
English soldiers, bravely tried to stop the oncoming enemy army, but
after 40 days of fighting, the Allied forces were completely routed.
They retreated as far as the English Channel. The churches in Britain
called for a day of prayer to be held on Sunday, May 26. On the evening
of the National Day of Prayer, an order was issued for boats of all
sizes and shapes to cross the English Channel and rescue as many men as
possible. Naval ships couldn’t get close to the beaches for rescue, so
small boats were critical in transporting men to the larger ships – or
all the way to British shores. In all, 336,000 men were rescued with
little boats and yachts alike…God responded to the prayers of His
people and used imperfect people to affect the outcome of the rescue.
And He can still do that today.
On the Eve of the D-Day Invasion, June 6, 1944, President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt called for this nation to unite in prayer. He also
offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. In part,
his prayer contained the words: “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, and to set
free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength
to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the
enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with
rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by
Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will
triumph. They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest --
until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame.
Men's souls will be shaken with the violence of war….Let our hearts be
stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to
impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord,
give us faith. Give us faith in Thee…"
Consider these things with me - - - It is not too late to implement II CHRONICLES 7:14
“…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” If You Care,
You Will Observe A Day Of Prayer!