Category Archives: Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C.- Goody Two Shoes

May 7, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Are you a Goody Two-Shoes? Most people cringe at the tag. The phrase got its start from John Newbery’s children’s story published in 1765, and we’re still using the label today. The Modern Urban Dictionary describes a Goody Two-Shoes as a likely staunch conservative bent on lecturing others about avoiding sin; in short, a pest.

The desire of the righteous ends only in good.

Proverbs 11:23

Modern culture has painted a picture of being good as “judgmental and annoying” and being bad as “hip and cool.” A survey of most people will likely reveal they want to be seen as cool, but their real desire is for good things to happen in their lives! The Holy Bible describes God’s handiwork in making the Earth and people as “very good.” Goodness is also counted as one of the marvelous gifts of the Holy Spirit to be desired. Today’s verse says righteous desires can only end up having good results.

Pray for America today – that a generation of young people would come to understand a good and loving God even in the midst of a decadent and carnal culture. Be prayerful, too, as you navigate the tricky ethos of bad as good and good as annoying…and don’t be afraid to proclaim God’s view of good as great.

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – His Promise in Difficulty

May 6, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

A gunman recently killed three people and injured others before ending his life at Fort Hood military post in Killeen, Texas. Soon, members of Skyline Baptist Church turned their weekly Bible study into a prayer service. Army Major Kevin Thompson, an officer at Fort Hood who serves as co-interim pastor, said, “We were praying for the victims and their families and that somehow God would find a way to prompt people to call out to Him through this incident, no matter how horrific.”

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Elaine Clark was teaching the children at Skyline that evening about I Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” After Clark explained to a young girl the importance of knowing the Lord is always in control, even in danger, the girl responded: “You know God sent Jesus to die for that man,” referring to the shooter.

Whenever you question your circumstances, come to your Heavenly Father as His precious child, knowing that He promises to turn every difficulty into good. Remember also to pray that the nation’s leaders will find their hope and peace in God’s promises.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Look Up

May 4, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

It’s easy to get down in the dumps these days. Experts estimate that depression effects one out of 10 Americans, and the number grows by 20 percent each year. There are about 40,000 suicides committed annually in the United States. How can you protect yourself from the despair?

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Psalm 43:5

It helps, as David did, to focus on the Lord. It changes your perspective as you begin to think hopeful thoughts like, “God is real. He loves me. He takes care of me. He uses the bad things in my life for the good.” Plus, God really does intervene. He does help. He does make things better. It may take longer than you would like, but you can count on the Lord.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) In these troubled times, remind yourself to put your trust in Jesus. Regardless of how you feel, spend time praising your Heavenly Father for answered prayer and showing Himself strong in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to use this country’s problems to turn hearts heavenward.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – New Life Offer

May 3, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The promise is eternal life. Repeated often in Scripture, the complete gospel message was in the Divine mind before the ages began. The all-knowing, loving God knew what mankind, straying from Him, would need.

Eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.

Titus 1:2

Eternal life is yours. Your only requirement is faith in the One who sent His Son to pay for all your wrongdoings. Bought with a huge price, you need only to believe. God’s offer of eternal life is nothing less than His offer to share in the life He Himself lives. Commentator William Barclay writes, “It is the offer of God’s power for our frustration, of God’s serenity for our dispeace, of God’s truth for our guessing, of God’s goodness for our moral failure, of God’s joy for our sorrow. The Christian gospel does not in the first place offer men an intellectual creed or a moral code; it offers them life, the very life of God.”

So what are you waiting for? How can you pass up an offer this good? It is a newness in your life that you can experience right now…unsurpassable joy! Pray for God to give it to you and the people of the United States.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Garbled Goodbye

May 2, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Death is seldom a pleasant topic – and when it must be discussed, there’s an endless list of synonyms available. Words like “corpse” and “coffin” are often avoided in favor of softer terms like “deceased” and “casket.” Christians prefer to focus on the promise that a brother or sister “went to be with the Lord.” One preacher, it is said, fumbled his graveside eulogy when he motioned to the dearly departed and said, “This is only the shell…the nut is gone!”

God, who raised him from the dead…so that your faith and hope are in God.

I Peter 1:21

When your faith and hope are in God, you have nothing to fear from death. Yet it’s often only when you face a brush with eternity – the loss of a loved one, a stark diagnosis, perhaps a near miss on the highway – that you learn just how real your belief really is.

Today, take time to meditate on the great miracle of God’s incredible love for you…a love that can never be shaken, even by death. And as you pray for America and its leaders today, ask for wisdom in sharing His love with those who live in fear of an unknown and foreboding future.

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Mayday, Mayday, Mayday

May 1, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The recent disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 puzzles officials because no distress call was ever recorded. The international mayday distress signal…always repeated three times in succession…is followed generally by the nature of the emergency. But no call was given. The future of the passengers was erased. And for families and friends waiting restlessly in Beijing, all hope of rescue had been cut off. Professional search teams needed wisdom.

Wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 24:14

When Solomon penned the Proverbs, he issued repeated reminders to seek wisdom for all of its benefits. It is sweet and good, he said, like honey. The wise person will acknowledge when he is facing trouble and send his distress call to the Lord. Solomon’s father, David, made a great statement of faith when he said there is hope in the Lord who made the heavens and Earth and sea (Psalm 146:5-6).

Diplomats hope for peace, economists hope for solutions, and researchers hope for cures to devastating diseases. But the Author of hope and the Sustainer of the future asks you and the nation’s leaders to trust in Him – to issue their own “mayday” calls, for He alone is their help.

Printable Prayer Guide

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Stopping Self Destruction

April 30, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

At the movies, criminals are often portrayed as masterminds with virtually unlimited resources and capabilities. In reality, it’s usually not that way, and the crime committed at a convenience store in Rome, Georgia is a good illustration. A hapless thief who broke into the business to steal, of all things, a roll of lottery tickets tried to cover his tracks by burning down the store. Video evidence captured the man spraying lighter fluid around and then setting the store – and then, accidently, himself – on fire.

He said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Acts 9:5

When Christ intercepted Saul on the road to Damascus, it was to end his mission of destroying believers. But it was also to stop Saul…soon to become known as the Apostle Paul…from destroying himself. His effort to eradicate Christianity would have failed – as it has for the many tyrants who have tried it – but his own soul would have been lost forever.

As you lift up America and its leaders today, remember that God is not willing for any to perish, and that even the fiercest opponents of the faith are not beyond His reach…and should not be beyond your prayers

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Philip’s Transporter

April 29, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

“Beam me up, Scotty!” This exact phrase was never actually used on Star Trek; nevertheless, it describes the fictional invention of the transporter. Will this kind of technology ever be possible? Perhaps…but thousands of years ago, God did something similar with Philip.

He said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:31

Philip’s missionary journey began unusually with an angel directing him to meet an Ethiopian court official, who then invited Philip up in his chariot to explain a passage in Isaiah. Philip told him all about Jesus. Philip baptized the Ethiopian – and then God instantly transported the missionary to Azota (about 40 miles away) where he preached in the area. The Ethiopian, undoubtedly inspired by both the amazing event and his new spiritual hope, went on his way rejoicing.

Technology has advanced in 2,000 years, yet the transporter remains fiction. God holds the secrets to all unexplained events that have happened throughout history. Of all the mysteries God has revealed, the most important one is how to receive eternal life – and it starts with a simple four-word phrase, spoken to Jesus: “Come into my life.” Pray more of the nation’s leaders and citizens will find salvation in Christ.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Unwarranted Wrath

April 28, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

You probably think of George Washington as calm, steady and unflappable, even in his most desperate of times. In truth, the first president had a terrible temper and when under stress, according to one of his contemporaries, his face became “dark and lowering” and he was “most tremendous in his wrath.” Thomas Jefferson even once provided a firsthand account of an enraged Washington throwing his hat on the floor and stomping on it.

Gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:15

Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity, was quite a contrast to that. Falsely accused and facing imminent death, his countenance conveyed an unearthly peace – like the “face of an angel.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, he was willing to accept any consequence for his testimony about Jesus.

There may be moments when a little “righteous indignation” is called for, but much more often, you will do damage when you become “most tremendous” in your wrath. Today, ask God to give you the wisdom and discipline to respond appropriately to whatever, or whoever, is making your life difficult today. And may He grant the same to President Obama and America’s leaders.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Need a Miracle?

April 27, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

It was the ninth hour, the time Jews flocked to the temple for the evening sacrifice. Peter and John headed there for prayer. And then there was the beggar – lame in both feet since birth, carried everywhere he needed to go, never having walked or leaped or even stood – there he was soliciting alms just to live. In need of miraculous assistance, he could symbolize fallen man…born by nature into sin and in need of a miracle.

Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Acts 3:6

Peter gave him what he needed – healing in the name of Jesus Christ. The power of God through signs performed by the apostles was meant to present the message of His grace, to communicate the person and the work of the Lord Jesus. The healing of the lame beggar gave them a chance to do just that.

What opportunities do you have to tell of God’s goodness, His grace, and His saving love in your life? There is power in the Word. Be willing to share it. Intercede for President Obama and other leaders that they may realize their fallen nature and seek the miracle of Christ.

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – We Are Family

April 26, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The Sister Sledge song, “We are Family,” includes the line, “The people around us they say, ‘Can they be that close?’” The early church was! Very possibly people around them asked the same question, as they showed they were of one mind, one accord, one faith and one worship! Moreover, they also looked after one another materially. Their fellowship promoted spiritual growth, mutual accountability, and bearing one another’s burdens. Sharing was a way of life.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

Acts 2:44

Are you involved in a fellowship among Christians? Whether a large church or small, or a neighborhood Bible study and prayer group, what do people say about you? Do they ask, “How can you all be so close?” You probably have ways of sharing among yourselves: pot luck dinners, special programs. But how are you at sharing with others? Do you feed the hungry, hold blood bank drives, a prison ministry? The old saying of, “They won’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care,” is especially true for Christians.

Pray today for your participation in a sharing, caring group. Pray for churches to take on programs like My Brother’s Keeper…so the government won’t have to!

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – When God Shows Up

April 25, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

When you think of God’s character qualities, love, holiness and power might come to mind. Yet His character also encompasses joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and all were manifested at the Day of Pentecost in Acts.

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.

Acts 2:17

God showed His love and joy to Peter and anointed his sermon, and kindness when each person heard the truth in their own language. He manifested self-control when He didn’t strike down those who mocked the apostles; patience in waiting hundreds of years to pour out His Spirit as prophesied in Joel; and faithfulness in sending Jesus according to His foreknowledge, then peace with His promise that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. There was gentleness when Peter declared God’s salvation to those who were broken over crucifying Christ. When 3,000 people accepted Jesus as Lord that day, the totality of God’s loving character was fully displayed.

Pray for spiritual revival in this nation and that many will receive God and produce His fruit in their lives.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Slowly and Deliberately

April 24, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

The Mount of Olives – it was there Jesus and the disciples spent time in quiet and peace away from the crowds. It was where He agonized in prayer before being betrayed by Judas. And now, in that same place with their eyes fixed upon Jesus, the disciples received final instructions from their resurrected Savior.

This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.

Acts 1:11

As He blessed them (Luke 24:50), He was lifted up into the heavens. Not in a whirlwind and chariot of fire as Elijah (II Kings 2:11), but slowly and deliberately. The disciples had time to realize that their Teacher had come in bodily form to put away sin through the sacrifice of Himself. Now He was ascending into Heaven to sit at the right hand of God. Someday, He will come again in the same manner, bodily and visibly. In joy, the disciples worshipped their Lord and preached the message of salvation everywhere (Mark 16:20).

It is true – Christ will return! In the meantime, pray for those who have yet to believe. Intercede for this nation and its leaders that they may know the Savior…for they shall see Him when He comes again.

Recommended Reading: I Thessalonians 4:13-18

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; P.G. – Go Fish

April 23, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

There was a television account of a man who caught the biggest fish in American history. A school for fishermen invited him to teach others how to catch fish like that. He soon was writing books on how to fish and even appearing on late night talk shows, until he had no time for fishing anymore. Unlike the man who fishes for fun, the one who fishes for his dinner takes his task much more seriously – selecting the right bait, properly preparing his equipment, observing the motion of the water, and patiently waiting for the hook to set.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 28:19

Jesus still calls His people to be “fishers of men.” Your instruction book – the Bible – is there; you are properly equipped through a close walk with the Lord and through prayer; and then you watch for the opportunities and boldly share with others. Once “caught,” you are ready to disciple that person, teaching him or her to fish also!

Be ready always to witness to the hope that you have in Christ (I Peter 3:15) and pray that you will be a reliable fisher of men. Pray for those in Congress to do likewise.

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – Miraculous Music

April 22, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Country singer George Strait has a song with the lyrics, “Ain’t it funny how a melody can bring back a memory.” It’s true…music stirs memories.

He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:1

Today’s verse is the first song recorded in Scripture, and the event it details is an important memory for not only the Jewish people, but for Christians as well. It was sung by Moses and Miriam on the shore of the Red Sea just after the Israelites escaped from Egypt. They were saved from their enemies as they crossed through the divided water on dry ground and God destroyed Pharaoh’s army with that same water. The people sang praise to the Lord for their deliverance and expressed their faith in Him as their strength and protector. Jewish people still celebrate this event today on the last day of Passover. This song is included in reading of the scriptures causing the people to remember the great things the God has done for them.

Just as He performed miraculous wonders for the nation of Israel, the Lord has done the same for the United States of America. Take time today to ask – or perhaps even sing – for God to “Shed His Grace” on this nation once again.

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – A True Choice

April 21, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Ever played the Trust Game? If you’ve been to a youth group gathering, you probably have at some point. One person crosses their arms, closes their eyes and falls backwards – utterly depending on the person standing behind to catch them. It’s all a matter of trust. Do you believe the person can and will break your fall?

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

John 20:29

Thomas didn’t believe. Jesus appeared to the disciples while Thomas wasn’t around. Christ told them He would return. So when his friends said they’d seen Jesus, it shouldn’t have been a shock to Thomas. But he wanted proof. “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25) In today’s verse, the Lord praises people who believe and have never seen the holes in His hands.

Trusting in God isn’t a game. It isn’t something you try once just to say you did. Choose to truly believe in Him daily. Pray for the Lord to strengthen your faith and that of your fellow Americans. Then pray for your country’s leaders to trust Him as well.

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Easter Hope

April 20, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

For many people, Easter is all about colored eggs, jelly beans and baskets. However, inside their hearts several feel as hopeless and hollow as a chocolate bunny.

He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.

Matthew 28:6

It’s probably similar to how Jesus’ followers felt when He died on the cross and left them. Yet the most surprising event of their lives occurred when the two women encountered the angel at Jesus’ empty tomb. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Jesus is alive. Now go tell others!” Imagine the hope and joy the women experienced when they saw Christ again as they grasped His feet and worshipped Him.

Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25) Rejoice that your heart is no longer empty, but filled with the hope of Easter – today and every day. Then listen to the angel’s advice and tell others about what the Lord has done in your life. Through your words and actions, let them know that Jesus is alive and promises the only hope for them, now and for all eternity. Pray, too, that your local and national leaders who follow Jesus will have the courage to tell others in government about their risen Lord!

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – An Act of Kindness

April 19, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

When you think of Bible heroes, names like Noah, Moses, Joseph, David and Paul immediately come to mind. You may not think of Joseph of Arimathea – yet all four Gospels record what he did and the type of man he was.

Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone.

Luke 23:53

Joseph, a rich and prominent member of the Jewish council, did not consent to execute Jesus, but followed Christ secretly. He was good and righteous and waited for the kingdom of God. He boldly went to Pilate and asked to be given the crucified body of Christ. Joseph and Nicodemus (of John 3:16 fame) took it down from the cross, wrapped it in linen with a mixture of spices, put it in Joseph’s rock tomb, and sealed it with a big stone.

When you consider the size and population of the Earth and the wide span of time, you may wonder about the significance of an individual, let alone an act of kindness. Like God remembered Joseph of Arimathea, He notices when you sacrifice something to help someone, including the time it takes you to pray for the nation. Serve your Lord and praise Him for using you.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Soldier Worth Saving

April 18, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

Not long before he was assassinated on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln sat down in his White House office to attend to some paperwork. Before him was an appeal on behalf of a soldier who had been convicted of desertion – a firing squad offense. During the Civil War, Lincoln had approved 267 death sentences for military crimes, but this day would be different. “Well,” Lincoln said as he wrote out a pardon, “I think the boy can do us more good above ground than under ground.”

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.

Mark 15:37

On the first Good Friday, Jesus made much the same decision for you. He ignored all the evidence of your failures…and determined that yours was a life worth saving. Little is known about what became of the deserter and other soldiers whose lives were redeemed by President Lincoln, but surely they greeted each new morning with profound gratitude. What if you lived every day as if you had been pardoned; spent every hour as a gift that could never be repaid?

As you pray today, thank God for His sacrifice and ask Him to help you “do more good” for your loved ones, your friends, and your nation.

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Know the Light

April 17, 2014 broboinhawaii Leave a comment

When Jesus needed rest, He and the disciples stole away from the crowds, many times to the quiet, olive tree-laden hillside of the Garden of Gethsemane. The night of Judas’ betrayal was different.

If it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

Matthew 26:39

The chosen 11 were with Him, but Jesus already felt heaviness and sorrow, even unto death, and wanted the three closest to Him to go further and “sit…and watch with me.” But even they could not appreciate His severe suffering…His profound sense of the evil of sin resting upon Him. His God-nature wanted to obey the will of His Father. Conflict with the man-nature made Him ask, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” The extreme passion of the moment was lost on the disciples. They slept as He agonized. Jesus was alone with grief so intense it was beyond human knowledge.

After repeated prayer, Christ stepped forward. Knowing the Father’s answer, and with resolute fortitude and tranquility, He accepted the darkness and trials to come – so He could be your Light forever. Pray now for those in darkness, including your leaders in this nation, that they may know and love the true Light of the world.

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