The National Day of Prayer.

Today, is The National Day of Prayer for these good ol' United States. I was curious about how this came to be, and why its such a recognized day, so like anyone with a Smart Phone, I decided to Google it. Apparently the day was recognized as a National Holiday in 1952 by the U.S. Congress. How crazy is that? When it was originated, it was meant to be a day of prayer for the Government of the United States. It shocks me that our U.S. Congress believed that prayer for our country was important enough to make a holiday out of it. I found it crazy, because that is exactly what the bible tells us too. Who knew the Government knew anything about the substantial power of God?

I don't know about you, but I would say what out country needs right now is a National Day of Prayer. With all these crazy accusations against our gov't for illegitimate birth certificates and mixed feelings being shared about this death of Osama Bin Laden.[I am not saying I agree or disagree with anything happening, this is not a political blog and never will be.] What I am saying is whether people like it or not, the people who are governing our country aren't going anywhere soon, so instead of hating or worshiping them, the very best thing we can do for them is pray. Your voice doesn't matter more to anyone than it does to God.

The bible says a lot about prayer. We are told to pray boldly [Hebrews 4:13]. We are told to pray daily [Psalms 86:3]. We are told to pray for healing [James 5:16]. We are told to pray for our enemies [Matt.5:22]. We are told to pray about sorrow and joy [James 5:13]. We are told to pray for wisdom [James 1:5]. Basically, we are told to pray about everything!

What's on your prayer list? Enough? I was talking to a group of friends a couple days ago, and we were talking about just this. What i realize, is in my head, some things are more important to pray for than others. Like, "why would i spend time praying about something so petty, when God has other things to worry about?" So my issue goes unprayed for until i break and "give in." The truth is, to God, no prayer is petty. He wants to know our hearts told to Him by us. He already knows it all, but he wants that relationship with us that requires us to tell Him everything.
Prayer is the most powerful tool we have. We have direct contact between ourselves and God, through Jesus, and not to take advantage of that would be crazy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I have the best prayer life ever, but I am saying I know when I pray daily about everything, my life seems to be a lot more enjoyable. There's something about knowing you're not in control that makes life a little easier to get through.

Someone has challenged me to make an answered prayer journal. So when I am in a state of hopelessness, which does occasionally happen [I'm a nineteen year old girl! I have hormones, cut me some slack!], I can look back and see that God is faithful and does answer prayers.

Something I'm learning is how He answers. The crazy thing is, sometimes I'm not right. Hard to believe, I know. But when I'm not right about what I'm praying for, God always answers, only sometimes the answer is "no." Sometimes He says no! And a lot of the time when he does, I later thank Him for doing so. Sometimes, when your heart is in the right place, he will say "yes". And others He might say "yes, but not now". So what I have learned to do, is pray for my heart to match His. If its in the wrong place, I ask Him to change it so I will be happy with what His will is.

I have seen my own prayers answered. I know it happens. Sometimes big prayers and other times small ones. I trust God to take my prayers and act. Whether the act is subtle, significant, or just drawing me closer to Him. What are some prayers God has answered for you? Care to share?

I believe in prayer. I believe in the power of the Lord. And I believe if we all give our worries, joys, pains, questions, requests, days, conversations, relationships, finances, everything to God in prayer, the world will change. I challenge you to extend this National Day of Prayer into a National Month of Prayer, or maybe a year. I am willing to bet your life and the lives of those you love will be changed in doing so.

<3 Austin