Category Archives: Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Moving Mountains

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Can you move a mountain? If you answered “yes,” chances are you have lived in an area where surface mining is practiced. Extracting minerals and metals like coal, copper, gold, iron and aluminum near the surface of the Earth is a process of moving a mountain…one giant shovel full of dirt at a time. Every miner will tell you the deeper you dig into the mountain, the harder it becomes.

No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

Proverbs 12:3

As the political winds in America begin to blow with a bit more intensity, you may notice words getting hotter and opinions getting stronger around the water cooler or the dinner table. Everyone wants to believe their candidate is the best hope for the nation’s future. Yet God remains a rock, in control and unmoved. If need be, He’ll move a mountain to ensure His will is done for America…and for you.

Pray for unity among God’s people as the process of electing America’s next president moves forward. Ask for His people to reflect His love first and their political preferences second. Personally dig deeper in your own faith. Then daily ask God to establish and securely anchor your actions and words in Him.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 18:2-18

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Imprudent Pledges

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Did you know you can make a charitable gift to the government – just like you can to your church or to the Presidential Prayer Team? The U.S. Treasury gladly accepts “contributions to reduce debt held by the public”…the national debt, in other words. But the total sum donated by all Americans in the most recent fiscal year was only $5.1 million. Given that the national debt is $18.1 trillion (and growing by the second), the total sum donated in an entire year covered less than two minutes of new borrowing by the government.

Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm.

Proverbs 11:15

The morale of this story: few people will donate their hard-earned dollars to those who will be irresponsible with the gift. Today’s scripture reference reinforces the damage that can come from borrowing, and highlights the particularly reckless practice of what we call “cosigning.”

Remember that any resources you have – including your good name and credit – are gifts from God to be stewarded with care. Today, pray for wisdom to manage them wisely, and pray also that America’s leaders will learn to govern and spend responsibility.

Recommended Reading: Romans 13:1-8

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Like a Blanket of Snow

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Today’s news reads more like a horror story than daily events. Like many others, you may wonder how people can be filled with such hate and evil. Christ’s prophecies are being fulfilled, including “nation will rise against nation.” (Matthew 24:7)

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

Proverbs 10:12

At the same time, God offers love and forgiveness to all who will receive it, and even to the vilest offenders such as the apostle Paul, the former murderer of Christians. Like a blanket of snow covers the Earth to where you can’t tell a car from a bush, God’s love completely covers and changes human hearts as He washes them clean. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Aim to love and forgive like He does, while praying against hatred and evil. Ask for His love to change America and that, in these last days, many lost souls will yield to Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Recommended Reading: I Timothy 1:12-17

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Sweet Waters

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Many believe that lemmings commit mass suicide by jumping off cliffs. In truth, driven by strong biological urges, many of them drown as they migrate across a body of water too wide for their physical capabilities to take them.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 9:10

Similarly, you can be drawn to do things which destroy you. It is the call of the woman Folly luring you with “stolen water.” (Proverbs 9:17) Pastor and teacher Dr. Charles Stanley wrote: “There is a certain thrill in doing forbidden things…An adrenaline rush often accompanies this kind of ‘living on the edge’ – but it ends when you fall off the cliff.” Apologist Ravi Zacharias addresses Folly’s summons. “Temptation stalks you every day…the human body reacts by sight, entertained by the imagination, and gives you all kinds of false hints that stolen waters will be sweet. They’re not; they leave you emptier.” Wisdom personified calls you to take another path: “Come…walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9:5-6)

Having a humble reverence for an awesome God is the beginning of wisdom. Accept correction with a teachable heart. Be united with others in drinking from the sweet waters of God’s Word. Then intercede for America’s leaders that they might do the same.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 5:4-11, 15-20

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Truth Measure

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A recent Charisma Magazine article warned that “believers reject moral absolutes for what feels right.” They are falling prey to the relativism of the world’s system. Another study by George Barna said 22 percent of adults believe in moral absolutes; and among those who claim to be born again, only 32 percent. How far God’s people have come from the time of martyr John Huss (1370-1415); he said, “Seek the truth. Listen to the truth. Teach the truth. Love the truth. Abide by the truth and defend the truth…Unto death.”

For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Proverbs 8:7

How well do you measure yourself when it comes to standing for absolute truth in this relative age? Have you let the world squeeze you into its mold? Do you fear social backlash for calling evil by its name? Founding Father Alexander Hamilton said, “Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”

Be encouraged by Jesus’ high priestly prayer when He asked the Father to keep His children in the truth. Know truth by studying His Word of truth – the Bible. Pray that God would illuminate His words for you…and that those who lead America would be courageous and stand for absolute truth.

Recommended Reading: John 17:6-17

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Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Pray and Stay

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National Geographic once featured an article about an encounter between a group of musk-oxen and arctic wolves ready for attack. Instinctively, the adult oxen formed an impenetrable circle around the calves with their rear hooves facing outward to protect them. The stand-off lasted quite some time with the calves remaining safe in the circle. However, the pressure built as the wolves continued to close in. Suddenly, one nervous ox broke from the unified group – causing them to divide and leaving the calves vulnerable. The wolves pounced; none of the calves survived.

All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast.

Proverbs 7:22

The passage surrounding today’s verse warns what happens when you are lured away from the protection of God’s commands. The same thing occurs when you stray from unity with other believers. Failing to stand together can lead to a trap or even destruction where many are wounded and few survive.

Petition God today for unity among Christians in America to pray together and stay together against attacks from Satan or human enemies of the faith. Intercede also for the nation’s leaders to not be led astray from God’s commands and the protection they bring.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 1:10-17

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Battle Training

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The elite branch of the U.S. armed forces known as Navy SEALs are known for superiority in both the physical and the mental aspects of war. SEALs train for combat, completing a Basic Underwater Demolition course for 24 weeks, a parachutist course, and then a SEAL Qualification Training program for another 26 weeks. When faced with the enemy, they rely on all of that training to know how to react.

When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.

Proverbs 6:22

The author of today’s key passage about words of wisdom speaks of similar training – that of your mother and father. “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.” (Proverbs 6:20) When dealing with difficult people and situations, those teachings guide you: “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Ever recall your mother’s words in circumstances where emotions could’ve gotten the best of you?

Satan often uses people to cause dissention in the battle of good versus evil. When faced with a difficult person, pray to remember the words of wisdom you’ve received over the years. Then ask God to also help Christians in political office to be led by wisdom as they encounter difficult colleagues and situations.

Recommended Reading: Titus 2:2-14

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Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Pondering

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Political humorist James Boren famously said “When in doubt, mumble; when in trouble, delegate; when in charge, ponder.” In reality, to “ponder” is not a lighthearted endeavor. In the biblical sense, pondering is a mental wrestling match leaving one to grapple, weigh out, and carefully consider a matter.

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.

Proverbs 5:21

Today’s verse applies the idea of God’s pondering as He considers you. Let that settle in for a moment: God is thinking about you deeply! Imagine He is completely aware of every circumstance in your life right this minute. Take in that He knows what makes you laugh, how you sing, and why you sin. Realize He knows just how hard it is for you to love yourself and forgive others. Believe it is true; He really does know you completely.

Now it’s your turn – to ponder God in return. Open His Word and discover what makes Him laugh and what moves Him to compassion. Find the incredible promises He has made specifically to those who seek Him. Earnestly pray for other people across America to join you in a unified desire to intimately know God. Pray that America will become a nation of people willing to ponder the amazing Creator.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 77:11-20

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Forgotten History

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A group concerned about America’s “fading heritage” called Intercollegiate Studies Institute conducts interviews and tests to determine how much Americans know about the nation’s history. One civic literacy exam has 60 multiple choice questions about topics that any first-year civics student should be able to handle with ease. The results were shocking. The general public averaged 49 percent on the exam. Elected officials scored five percentage points lower. College educators scored 55 percent and, in an interesting and appalling twist, at elite universities like Yale, Cornell, Princeton, Duke and Georgetown, freshmen students scored higher than seniors – a dynamic the Intercollegiate Studies Institute called “negative learning.”

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight.

Proverbs 4:1

These sad results confirm that most Americans are utterly ignorant of the blessings, the courage, the sacrifices, the wisdom, and the instruction of the Founding Fathers. America’s early leaders were not perfect, but they have much to teach about faith, valor, and the way forward.

As you pray for your leaders, ask God to turn them back to the wisdom of America’s fathers – and God the Father – that they may “gain insight” for the issues of today.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 2:6-16

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Biggest Kindness

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The Hatfields and McCoys are names that’ll always be synonymous with bitter feud. The legendary rift between the two families living along the Kentucky/West Virginia border began in 1865 with the murder of Asa Harmon McCoy and lasted for generations. There was intermarrying between the Hatfields and McCoys, making the relationship between the two families even more complicated and volatile.

Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

Proverbs 3:29

Today’s verse commands people to not plan evil against their neighbors. Who is your neighbor? When Jesus was asked that question, He answered with a parable found in Luke 10:25-37. When a man was beaten by robbers and left along the road to die, a priest and a Levite passed on by, but an ill-regarded Samaritan offered him extraordinary kindness. The law expert who questioned Jesus admitted that it was the Samaritan who acted most neighborly. Jesus responded, “You go, and do likewise.”

The biggest kindness of all – to those you love, acquaintances, and even enemies – is to pray for them. Intercede, too, that America’s leaders and citizens will practice the parable’s message of compassion and not plan evil against one another.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K.- If…Then

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Edmund Burke, orator, author and leader in Great Britain during the time of the Revolutionary War, wrote: “What is liberty without wisdom and without virtue? It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without restraint.” Wisdom is the critical concept. Only when your life is directly in line with God’s viewpoint – when you apply His perspective to your life – can you become wise.

For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Proverbs 2:10

Striving to satisfy your passions and desires without regard to their consequences is a dangerous way to live, both physically and spiritually. The Lord created you with a need for – and the capability of – knowing and understanding Him. If you receive His words…if you hold His truth in your memory…if you search Scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to apply what you have read to what you are experiencing…then wisdom will come into your heart, discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, delivering you from evil (Proverbs 2:1-12).

Let your prayers give life and energy to your study of His Word. Join with others in intercession for America’s leaders, that they might know the true God and be led by His sound wisdom.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 25:4-14

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Get It Together

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In a recent study of the expectations of Americans, psychologists employed a simple experiment with two photographs. People were asked to identify with one photo or the other. While the study centered on racial issues, the results revealed a broader social condition: people tended to identify with others who were most like them. “There is power in togetherness,” the study concluded. The study also explains why Congressional partisanship is so strong; the nation’s leaders are naturally drawn toward those who share the same political views.

Whoever listens to me will dwell secure, and will be at ease.

Proverbs 1:33

Wisdom is the overriding subject of Proverbs. God asks you to seek for it and apply it. Today’s verse implies that if everyone would but listen to His words, unity in America would be possible, with security and ease the result. What a difference that would make in neighborhoods, in churches, and on Capitol Hill.

As you pray today to put God’s Word first while living in unity with your fellow Christians, pray also for the men and women in government to find wisdom in the Scriptures and seek to be unified in making the best decisions for all Americans regardless of political affiliation.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 4:4-16

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Value His Views

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Bill Gates’ ideas transformed the world of communication. Oprah’s opinion is vastly influential. A speech by President Obama gives rise to strong emotions from left to right of the political range. Whose opinion do you value?

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Psalm 139:17

Today’s verse calls God’s thoughts precious and of great worth. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

Let your prayer echo the psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14) Seek insight from God’s Word with the enthusiasm of a pirate after buried treasure. Value His views greater than any others. Then pray that the citizens and leaders of this nation will respect His Word and that freedoms concerning the Bible will remain intact.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 1:20-31

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.K – Circle of Blessing

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Almost 500 years ago, Martin Luther wrote, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” Author Robert Wolgemuth continues this thought: “Prayer is the glue that affixes your heart to your Heavenly Father.” It is profound reverence for God, the fear of the Lord, which causes you to hate the things that God hates and love the things that He loves…to walk in holiness.

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!

Psalm 128:1

Paul exhorted the Ephesians to “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) Walking in His ways puts the capital “W” in worship. Your actions reflect His character. Picture this wonderful circle of blessing: prayer brings you to deeper fellowship with God, leading to a loving fear of Him, giving you the wisdom of God, motivating you to obedience, manifesting itself in your praise to Him, involving you in activities that are eternally important, and giving Him glory and you the blessing.

God places amazing significance on your prayers. Do not be disheartened as you intercede for this nation and its leaders. God will work for good and bless those who fear Him.

Recommended Reading: Colossians 3:17-4:6

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Find Your Focus

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Research out of Sweden shows that digital billboards can distract drivers for two to three seconds; in that amount of time, accidents can happen.

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!

Psalm 123:1

As important as it is to keep your eyes on the road as you drive, it’s imperative in life to focus on the Lord to avoid pitfalls that can hurt or even destroy you. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” Jesus said in John 14:6. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” As you look to Him, “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

As God instructs and, at times, corrects you, remember to keep your eyes on the Lord. Honor His Spirit within you by spending time in the Word of God and listening with spiritual ears. Set aside time each day to worship Him through singing, journaling, or even poetry. Then pray for the country’s leaders and citizens to place their focus on the King of Kings who is enthroned in the heavens. He is worthy!

Recommended Reading: Hebrews 12:1-14

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Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Sure to Inspire!

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One way to deal with bad news is to disguise it, and corporate wordsmiths have turned this strategy into an art form. A well-known airline recently issued a press release saying it had “outlined a long-term plan to drive shareholder returns through new and existing initiatives aimed at enhancing the Company’s product advantage and service-oriented culture while delivering improved financial results.” The CEO added that the new focus would help the company “inspire humanity and its differentiated model of serving underserved customers.”

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:7

Can you even begin to guess what this verbiage means? The answer is that the airline was adding new fees for checked baggage and reducing leg room to squeeze more seats into their airplanes. How this might “inspire humanity” is anyone’s guess.

There’s plenty of bad news in America these days – and new baggage fees are likely the least of your worries. But there’s no need to be fazed or afraid when your trust is in the Lord. As you worship Him today and pray for America, do so with a firm and glad heart. However uncomfortable the journey may be right now, your final destination is secure…and sure to inspire you!

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 3:12-18

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Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Immeasurable

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Physicists debate the dimensions of space. For the untrained, life exists in three dimensions. Time is added as a fourth dimension; a fifth dimension is a continuous repetition of the fourth dimension in space/time. Modern physics has added a sixth dimension, and a paper presented in December last year suggests that in this sixth dimension alternate realities exist in parallel to the ones known – a “superstring” theory which posits that the universe exists in ten dimensions at once. Aren’t you glad that you can just raise your hands and say, “God only knows,” and consider what lengths He has gone to in order to confound these scientists!

Your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Psalm 108:4

Regardless of whether you exist in a three, four or ten dimensional universe, you can rejoice knowing that the steadfast love of the Lord is so multi-dimensional that it exceeds the heavens. You can sing with the psalmist, or with the contemporary group Mercy Me, “How Great is Your Love,” knowing that it is beyond measure.

Today, as you bow your knees under the overwhelming knowledge of the vastness of God’s love, pray for the many in government who haven’t yet learned it.

Recommended Reading: Romans 8:31-39

 

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Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Tell Your Miracle

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In his book Miracles, Eric Metaxas tells the story of atheist scientist Fred Hoyle who famously said “the universe looks like a put-up job. It’s too neat. It’s too perfect. It couldn’t have just happened.” The order and beauty of the natural universe disturbed Hoyle’s atheism because, scientifically speaking, he said “it couldn’t be just as it is.” Metaxas says miracles are meant to be signs that point towards God – and the miracle of the natural world is no exception. While Hoyle never became a Christian, his honest observations pointed him again and again to God.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Psalm 105:1

What is the miracle resident in your life? Is it your conversion story, or another time God stepped into your personal domain? Today’s verse encourages you to tell the people in your world about what God has done in your life. Don’t worry about the details; just tell your story and let God’s work speak for itself.

Worship God today by telling His miracle story in your life. Then pray for those in America’s institutions of leadership, that they may comprehend God’s handiwork in their life. Pray many will find the courage to move past unbelief and into faith.

Recommended Reading: Acts 10:34-45

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Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Height of Fascination

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The “eight-thousanders” are 14 separate mountains on Earth more than 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level. The first recorded attempt to climb an eight-thousander was in 1895, but the first successful climb wasn’t until 1950. Each of these mountain’s summits are in the death zone, an altitude where there is not enough oxygen for a human to breathe.

For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

Psalm 97:9

Perhaps man’s fascination with heights comes from his inherent desire to draw close to God. While Satan is associated with that which lies below the ground, people relate to God above the clouds. “Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights!” (Psalm 148:1) The Psalmist in today’s passage calls God by one of His names – the Most High, and declares that He is over even the tallest mountain.

Drawing close to God isn’t as difficult as scaling an eight-thousander. All you have to do is call His name. Praise the one and only God of the universe. He is to be “exalted far above all gods.” Go on a walk and ask God to reveal Himself to you through His creation – and pray, too, for Him to be fully known to your nation’s leaders.

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 6:1-7

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Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Praise His Majesty

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King David created patterns of worship according to the directions he received from the Lord. His majestic psalms are the masterpiece of spiritual literature. David’s poetic genius has been quoted often through the years. His psalms of praise, worship and meditation obviously are a reflection of his incredible love for his Heavenly Father.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

Psalm 95:6

The Ark of the Covenant was a wooden chest made to God’s specifications. The Hebrew term for the lid of the Ark is sometimes translated “the mercy seat,” which represented both God’s heavenly throne and His purpose to cleanse His people of their sins. When David rescued the Ark and brought it to Jerusalem, he exchanged his royal attire for a simple priest’s robe. By removing the pride of his status as king, David humbly acknowledged how unworthy he was to even stand before the Lord. David then danced and worshipped the King of Kings with all of his might.

Remember that God’s presence surrounds you everywhere. Take opportunities each day to stop and praise Him for who He is. Pray also that America’s leaders would set aside any pride and worship the majesty of your only true King.

Recommended Reading: II Samuel 6:12-23