SCRIPTURE
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone – For Kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful, and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4
SPOTLIGHT
Have you ever thought of giving your nation a birthday gift? July 4, 1776, marks the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress. Why not give your nation a birthday gift every Independence Day? Perhaps you may feel that is a silly idea because you give gifts to people, not things. Maybe you think your country should give you a birthday gift because you are a hard worker, and taxes are too much. The fact is the Bible has something to say about this.
The Apostle Paul identified in 1 Timothy 2:1-4, the best gift you can give your nation. Prayer exceeds all other gifts you could give. You could erect a monument, or pay everybody’s wage for a day so that there could be a national holiday. However, prayer is the primary gift to give those who serve as leaders in your nation.
It does not matter what political flag is flying in the White House, Congress, or Senate. Believers are called to make requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for those in authority over you. Paul gave three reasons for following the verses cited above:
#1. In order to live a peaceful, quiet, Godly, holy life.
#2. This is pleasing to God.
#3. People will become believers.
In the past, many people have given the gift of prayer to your country. They believed that God should be at the center of establishing the United States of America. There is a well-known picture of General George Washington, kneeling in prayer beside his horse. Patrick Henry, who was one of the Founding Fathers, said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly, or too often, that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” President Abraham Lincoln called for a National Day of Prayer. President Harry Truman signed a bill establishing a National Day of Prayer. President Ronald Reagan made the first Thursday of May, be the National Day of Prayer. Since 1777, every session of Congress begins with a prayer by a minister whose salary is paid by taxpayers.
Paul’s Scriptural injunction needs to continue to be heeded by people who believe in the power of prayer. Will you pray for government leaders at the federal, state, and municipal levels? Will you give the gift of prayer to your nation?
SOMETHING TO DO
#1. Pray for your nation, not just on July 4th, but regularly.
#2. Pray with other believers for your nation when you gather together.
#3. Peter Marshall was a great preacher who became the Chaplain of the United States Senate. He wrote, “A Prayer for Independence Day.” It would be valuable for you to begin giving your gift of prayer by praying this prayer found below and then inviting other believers to pray it also.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
God of our fathers, whose Almighty hand has made, and preserved our nation, grant that our people may understand what it is they celebrate on Independence Day.
May they remember how bitterly our freedom was won, the down payment that was made for it, the installments that have been made since the Republic was born, and the price that must yet be paid for our liberty.
May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to be pleased to do what is right.
May it ever be understood that our liberty is under God, and can be found nowhere else.
May our faith be something that is not nearly stamped upon our coins, but expressed in our lives.
To the extent that America honors Thee, wilt Thou bless America? Keep her true as Thou has kept her free, and make her good as Thou hast made her rich.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.