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Thursday, May 3
, 2012


Variegated tulip, Hotel Hershey
Variegated tulips on the grounds of Hotel Hershey.

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"The Blessing Of Prayer"

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1,2). "If my people, who are called by my Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Today is the National Day Of Prayer here in the USA. All over the country groups will be gathering to pray and for many the focus will be spiritual revival and a return to God's ways. Our country is in desperate need of divine intervention!

Here in Lancaster County we have a very well planned day of prayer with a rally tonight at Lancaster Bible College where David Jeremiah, a veteran pastor, will speak.


Prayer at altarOur encouragement messages go out to believers in many different countries so we try to write for the spiritual edification of all true believers regardless of where they live. We are unaware of other countries that might have official national days of prayer as we have here in America.  However I genuinely believe this is a very important day here in the country where God has providentially ordained that I should live out my life on this earth. Wherever you may live you should pray for your country and every point we make today will apply regardless of your location.

America is in deep trouble and is in need of genuine repentance. Although there is an active remnant of true believers, the vast majority of our population gives little or no attention to God. Our government and court systems increasingly pass laws and policies that will surely lead to persecution for the believers. Our arts and entertainment industry is a cesspool of immorality. Broken marriages and troubled households abound and in recent years a massive effort is being made to drastically redefine the God ordained institution of holy marriage. Violence fills the land. Our educational system has been very successful at breaking down the moral constraints. Brooksyne and I see this brokenness first hand in our ministry to the workplace, but it's evident to anyone who turns on the news or reads a newspaper. I believe one of the greatest evidences of this escalating trouble is spiritual blindness.

I have often pondered the daily verse and committed it to memory many years ago. It will surely be quoted in many prayer services today. It is initially expressed as a condition and promise to Solomon during a time of great personal and national consecration as the temple is being dedicated approximately 3,000 years ago. I believe there is an element to this promise that is unique to Israel as a nation, who as a national people were called by God's Name.

Man kneeling in prayerThe phrase "My people" in the daily verse in its initial application applied to these people and their specific land. Thus I feel there is interpretive error when we view our specific country (wherever we live) as God's land in the same sense as that spoken of in the initial promise.  True believers foundationally hold heavenly citizenship (far superior to our national citizenship).

Having said that, I believe there is still great application in the condition and promise today.
There is surely a sense that "My people" today  refers to the redeemed in Christ who live throughout the world. 

God requires these conditions of His people:
  • Humble themselves
  • Pray
  • Seek My face
  • Turn from their wicked ways
God promises these blessings for His people:
  • Then will I hear from heaven
  • And will forgive their sin
  • And will heal their land
As God's people we are indeed called to humble ourselves, to pray, to seek His face and to turn from our wicked ways. Wherever we may live let us who love God apply these conditions! The eternal, unchanging God is still speaking from heaven, forgiving sin, and extending His saving touch to all who look to Him. Regardless of what happens to America or the land where you live, His promise to the individual who earnestly seeks Him is always bright and good.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying man
Daily prayer: Father, we come into Your presence with thanksgiving in our hearts and give You praise. We ask you to be merciful to our land because You are a loving, forgiving God.  You have called on us, Your children, to be a people of prayer, devotion, and denial of self.   We pray for our land to repent of neglect and defiance of Your holy commands.  In the name of Jesus we come against the powers of darkness that seek to engulf the light of Your salvation that brings help, hope, and forgiveness to sin sick souls and secures their eternal dwelling in heaven.  Help us not to grow weary in our intercession, for we want to be faithful in prayer so that, at a future date, we will witness the harvest of souls.  We pray for Your will to be accomplished in the name of Jesus. Amen.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Day Of Prayer Song"  Video   Arnie McCall

"If My People"  Video  Men's chorus

"If My People Pray"  Video  Avalon

"What if My People Pray"  Video  Casting Crowns

"Jesus Saves"  Video  Travis Cottrell

"Search Me, Know Me"  Video  Kathryn Scott



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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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