Historically, prayer has been an important part of American history. In 1775, George Washington asked the colonists to pray for wisdom during the War of Independence. Abraham Lincoln was known for calling the nation to prayer and fasting. In 1952, Harry Truman signed a resolution declaring an annual National Day of Prayer and, in 1988, Ronald Reagan signed a law designating the first Thursday in May as the official observance of the day.

Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.”

I Samuel 7:5

But national prayer is not a concept that began in the United States. Today’s verse recalls when Israel came together for national prayer led by the prophet Samuel. The Philistines were oppressing the Israelites. Samuel called the people together to renounce idolatry, repent of their sins and rededicate themselves to seek God, secure His blessing and gain victory over their enemy. The Philistines attacked, but the Lord miraculously rescued them.

Do you feel Americans need more than a day of prayer to return to God and be delivered? Start praying today and ask someone to join you. Then pray again tomorrow and include another person. Allow a life-altering, nation-changing prayer movement to begin with you.

Recommended Reading: James 5:8-18

Paul wrote to the Corinthians about his near-death experiences on his mission trip to Asia – and declared how God delivered him through their prayers. Prayer isn’t just something that helps you deal with your problems. It is necessary for God’s will to be manifested on Earth.

You also must help us by prayer.

II Corinthians 1:11

The New Testament takes you on a journey of commanded prayer. You are exhorted to “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), for God’s will to be done (Matthew 6:10), and for laborers to go into the harvest (Matthew 9:38). You are to pray in faith (Matthew 21:22) and not lose heart (Luke 18:1) while praying for strength to escape end-time persecution (Luke 21:36) and to not enter into temptation (Luke 22:40). You are to pray constantly (Romans 12:12) and with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6) and steadfastness (Colossians 4:2), asking for gospel doors to be opened (Colossians 4:3). You are to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and for those in the ministry (II Thessalonians 3:1) and for all people (I Timothy 2:1), lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling (I Timothy 2:8).

Plead with confidence for God’s purposes to be accomplished in your life, in your town, and in this nation. Pray! Pray! Pray!

Recommended Reading: I Timothy 2:1-6

The prophet Ezekiel was 30 years old when he began experiencing visions from God. At that time, Israel needed hope and was spiritually “dead” as a nation. So Jehovah gave Ezekiel the vision of the dry bones as a sign of restoration. Now picture Ezekiel standing in the middle of the field preaching God’s Word to piles of bones – and watching the bones reassemble into human form as the Lord breathed life into them so they’d stand on their feet as a great army!

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.

Ezekiel 36:26

America’s churches and their attendees often appear to look like a heap of dry, lifeless bones, making little impact in this broken world. Yet if God can restore dried, shrunken bodies to life, then He can enliven Christians to change the hearts of this nation’s leaders and citizens through their bold witness and persistent prayers.

Breathe in God’s presence and dare to be revived as you seek Him and read His Word every day. Let go of hopelessness and doubt. Ask Him to fill the hearts of your family, neighbors and all Americans with a new spirit – His Holy Spirit.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 51:10-19

“Oh, Lord, it’s hard to be humble,” said an old song by Mac Davis, “when you’re perfect in every way.” Humility is a character trait for which not many pray. Who wants to be humble? But the Bible tells us God gives His favor to those who live in humility (Proverbs 3:34).

I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer…with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

Daniel 9:3

When Daniel wanted to hear from the Lord, today’s passage says he put on ashes and a sackcloth and fasted. In biblical times, when people wanted to show repentance, they dressed in rough, unsightly clothes, threw ashes on themselves and withheld from eating. It was a way to say, “God. I am nothing without you. Please hear my prayer!”

When you are desperate for the Lord, you don’t sit in a lounge chair, put your feet up, drink a latte and say, “Hear me, O God!” If you want mountain-moving prayers, you get on your face before the Lord. Lower yourself and admit your helplessness to the Creator of the Universe. Then pray with humble confidence for your national leaders and all Americans to be humble before the One True King and awe in His holy presence.

Recommended Reading: II Kings 22:8-20

On Election Day, November 7, 2000 between 7:49 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. all of the major networks – ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and Fox – declared that Al Gore had won the State of Florida in the race for President of the United States. The problem with this prediction was that it was wrong; the race was, in reality, still too close to call. Even worse, when the “results” were broadcast the polls were still open in Florida’s Panhandle. Many people waiting in line, believing the outcome now decided, simply went home without voting.

We speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

John 3:11

“How can these things be?” Nicodemus asked Jesus when told he must be born again. Jesus was explaining to the rabbi that his past did not determine his future and that the man-made forecast was faulty. “We speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen,” but that is not the full story. Far from it.

Remember this as you pray. God is not restricted by human expectations or limitations. He is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20.) Tap into that power today as you pray for the nation.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

God has a promised land for you to take!

I sat across the table from a man in midlife misery. He described his life with words like stuck, rut, and stalled. He’s a Christian. But he can’t tell you the last time he defeated a temptation or experienced an answered prayer. Twenty years into his faith he fights the same battles he was fighting the day he came to Christ. It’s as if the door to spiritual growth has a lock and everyone has the key but him.

Joshua 21:43 says, “So the Lord gave Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give. . .and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.”

The promised land! God’s vision for your life. Yours for the taking. Expect to be challenged. The enemy won’t go down without a fight. But your glory days await you!

From Glory Days

If God gave you one wish, what would it be? Though God loved Solomon from the time he was born (II Samuel 12:24), when God said to ask for whatever he wanted, Solomon found God’s favor by asking for wisdom instead of riches and power (II Chronicles 1:11-12).

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Before Solomon was born he was chosen to build the temple, something his father David wanted to do (I Chronicles 28:3). When Solomon prayed and dedicated the temple, God showed up in a mighty way (II Chronicles 7:1). Even though Solomon was a great king, he had his faults. He sinned against God through his activities with women from other countries (Nehemiah 13:26). In Ecclesiastes, Solomon looked back on his life – his riches, his education and his accomplishments – and he concluded that all of it was vanity. He summed up the purpose of life with today’s verse.

Today, you have that advice gleaned from all of Solomon’s wisdom and experience, not to mention Jesus’ greatest commands to love God and others. Seek to live a life pleasing to God, then pray that He will rise up national leaders like Solomon who will humble themselves in prayer and rely on God’s wisdom.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 6:19-33