You’ve just landed a new job and are sitting down with Human Resources to work out an acceptable salary. “Now,” the H.R. manager says, “we have two annual salary options for this position. We can pay you either $39,156 or $7,308. Since we want you to be happy, we are offering you $7,308 per year. Welcome aboard!”

Accept my blessing…because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.

Genesis 33:11

If that sounds nonsensical, consider this: The average annual wage in the United States is $39,156. The average annual wage in Mexico is $7,308. Yet the “World Happiness Report,” which is a scientifically-based, expansive study conducted internationally, found that Mexicans rank higher in happiness than U.S. citizens. “Happiness” was measured by the ability to stay positive, recover from negative feelings, care about and spend time with family and friends, and allow one’s self to be “captured” by emotions like joy and awe.

After a long history of scheming, Jacob realized that all he really needed was the love of his family. With that, he said, “I have enough.” As you pray for America today, remember that peace and contentment will come not with more things…but from more love.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Humans are quick to forget the blessings they receive. They thank God when things are good, but grumble, complain and succumb to fear when things are bad – as if God had never showed them any care.

And those twelve stones, which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal.

Joshua 4:20

God knew how quickly His people forgot His miraculous provisions. He told Joshua to have a man from each of the twelve tribes take a stone out of the river where the priests stood while the Lord held the water back. After the people crossed over, Joshua said, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground…so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” (Joshua 4:21, 22, 24)

During this month of Thanksgiving, construct a memorial: a list, a poster, a rock pile. Remember what the Lord has done for you and this country, and remind your children and grandchildren. Continue to pray for the leaders and people of this nation to turn to God, the giver of all good things (James 1:17).

Recommended Reading: Matthew 15:32-38

Ten years ago, Brian Nichols went on a murderous rampage at the Fulton County Courthouse in downtown Atlanta. He killed four people and injured others. Hours later, Nichols took Ashley Smith, a widowed young mother, hostage in her apartment. Smith was struggling with life and with a drug addiction. Yet God gave her the courage to remain calm during the ordeal. After several hours, she asked Nichols if she could read the book, The Purpose Driven Life. Nichols conceded and told her to read it out loud. Eventually, Ashley was able to leave the apartment and Nichols was arrested.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Isaiah 40:29

“I really believe that God spared my life because He wanted me to go around the world and tell people that He changed me,” said Smith. “You know, I didn’t do anything in my apartment that night but lay down my brokenness to God and He’s brought me to a very different place in my life in the last 10 years.”

As you spend time with the Lord, ask Him for His unlimited strength during your times of weakness. Pray also that your nation’s leaders will depend on God for their needs.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 12:2-10

When Zechariah prophesied about the restoration of Israel, he said that in those days people would grab hold of a Jew’s robe and want to go with them because they heard that God was with them (Zechariah 8:23). When Peter and John answered the Scribes and Pharisees with boldness, the religious leaders took note that the apostles had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6

A life that is centered in Christ will be evident to others. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Even more, God is not just with believers in Him; His Holy Spirit resides within them (I Corinthians 6:19).

Are you living your life through His indwelling Spirit in such a way that you stand out from the crowd? Do people know you are a Christian because of your love? If not, abide in Him through prayer, read the Bible and practice acts of kindness. Trust that God will accomplish His will through you by His Spirit. Then pray for the eyes of people in America to be opened to see the love of Jesus in the Christians around them.

Recommended Reading: John 15:4-17

Many have said that you should never pray for patience…it will encourage the Lord to test your faith in many ways. But steadfastness, described as a life of faithfulness amid troubles and afflictions, may require a great deal of patience. The Rev. George Horne, an English churchman in the 1700s, provided this definition: “Patience is the guardian of faith, the preserver of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humility. Patience governs the flesh, strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride; she bridles the tongue, restrains the hand, tramples upon temptations, endures persecutions, consummates martyrdom.”

Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4

The apostle Paul tells us as Christians “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God…Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2) James says to “count it all joy” when you are tested (James 1:2) so that you gain the full effect of God’s plan for you.

Be faithful. Pray for others enduring trials – and for this nation’s leaders facing impossible decisions, that they may never doubt God’s goodness and grace.

Recommended Reading: James 1:2-8, 12-17

What happens in Heaven when you pray for America, or the world, or even your neighbor next door? Sometimes it doesn’t seem like very much. Do you ever wonder if those prayers are actually getting through?

The smoke of incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God.

Revelation 8:4

Here is the word picture of your prayers as described in the book of Revelation. In the future, when it’s time, God will reveal Himself to mankind in strength and holiness. Until then, your prayers and those of every saint from all of history are accumulating on an altar before the throne of God. Take a moment and imagine all of those prayers mingling together to make a brightly burning fire reminding God of His love for mankind and His promise to deliver us from sin.

Those prayers will be returned to Earth as an instrument of God’s judgment. It’s astonishing, and somewhat terrifying, to think every faithful prayer to God for the redemption of the world will be answered all at once! Scripture say’s not one will be lost or go unaddressed. Don’t stop praying for God’s mercy on America.

Recommended Reading: Revelation 12:7-12

When she was four, Kimberly Dawn dreamed of becoming a famous country singer. But there were several challenges along the way: shyness, loss of her family home to a fire, and caring for an ailing family member. Yet with God’s help, Kimberly overcame the barriers that held her from her dreams. In 2013, she began releasing music and playing at bigger venues. In fact, last year Kimberly was named “one of the most influential voices of this generation of country/gospel music.” Now she wants to minister to others who are struggling.

And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight.

Esther 5:2

“As a society we sometimes find ourselves trapped in certain ideas or beliefs; God is a merciful God and He wants our love and trust,” Kimberly says. “Whatever circumstance you are going through, know that you can overcome any obstacle. God has already given His children favor and grace.”

God extends His blessings to those who choose to believe Him even when evidence says otherwise – and often positions them to influence others through their faith in Him. Choose to live by His Word and listen to His Holy Spirit. Pray also that your leaders will seek to know Him in a deeper way so they can have more impact for Him.

Recommended Reading: Genesis 39:1-6

One day a newbie manager told his boss that automating their tax calculation wasn’t a good idea because eventually the workers would forget how to calculate it manually. His boss replied “Well son, I don’t know how to crank start my car, either. Sometimes it’s just time to simplify a process.”

We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will.

Colossians 1:9

Today’s world is complex—and as American culture moves away from traditional Christian values, there seems to be even more confusion and a spiritual battle on every front. At times it’s hard to discern how you should stand for your religious liberty…and it gets even more frustrating when your most sincere words or actions get twisted into something hateful or even illegal!

When you are unsure how to occupy your place in the world, apply today’s verse and pray passionately for Christ’s followers across the nation to be strengthened and filled with God’s knowledge and spirit. Culture war is complicated but God’s plan is simple – believers are to pray!

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 2:6-8, 20-22