Daily Encouragement

Thursday, May 5, 2022

"National Day Of Prayer"

Message summary: Keep praying, for we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. To tell you the truth I am not sure what that harvest will look like, though it may mostly be seen only on the other side.

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7-9).

Today is the National Day of Prayer which is held the first Thursday in May each year here in the United States. There will be prayer gatherings all throughout our land from early morning through the evening hour.

We attended the one held this morning in Mount Joy, where we live. We drove up to the Gathering Place before 6 am since we served on the NDP committee and had some setting up to do. Breakfast was served at 6:30 and by 7 am the prayer service began. Community leaders, such as our mayor, Senator, Chief of Police and other local leaders stepped up to the platform, one by one, and they led us in prayer for the field they represented such as government, military, police/first responders/fire fighters, local businesses, education, church and family.

Daily Encouragement is sent to believers in many different countries all around the world and is written for the spiritual edification of all true believers regardless of where they live. I am not aware if other countries have an official national day of prayer, but I hope that they do. Our country and world certainly needs prayer!

But is it worth it? I’m sure I am not the only one who turns that question over in my mind at times! After all, the moral and spiritual decline continues in our nation and around the world even though God's people have been praying for many years. Truthfully the evil seems to be increasing by the day.

I believe the daily verse, although not exclusively related to prayer, addresses this question: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

In prayer, as in other acts of obedience to God, we are “doing good” as we are anytime we obey God’s Word. But we can become weary when the answers don’t come as we would desire. Some versions use the phrase, “lose heart” rather than “weary”.

When we pray earnestly to the God of heaven, through His Son Jesus Christ, in faith and humility we are “doing good” and “sowing to please the Spirit". Prayer does not always result in an immediate harvest but we have a wonderful promise that "we will reap a harvest if we do not give up". This harvest or reaping will take place in the “proper time”, that is; the appointed season ordained by God.

"We" in this passage are the people of God. The harvest in this context is ultimately spiritual and eternal. In reality the moral decline may very well continue and judgment will most certainly come, both in this life and in the life to come. The people of God in past generations experienced the effects of judgment as a result of the sins of the nation. Consider the godly remnant who lived at the time of the fall of Jerusalem during the time of Jeremiah. They too were severely impacted by God’s judgment but also preserved by His merciful hand. Out of that remnant came the faithful like Daniel and others who carried on the message of God.

So let us encourage you today, wherever you live, to call out to the one true God. Whatever your circumstances, however serious your situation, regardless of how long you’ve waited: keep believing and obeying. Keep praying, for we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. To tell you the truth I am not sure what that harvest will look like, though it may mostly be seen only on the other side.

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are grateful for Your abundant mercy extended to us because You are a loving, forgiving God. You have called on us, Your children, to be a people of prayer and devotion. We pray for our people to repent of neglect and defiance of Your holy commands. We lift our hearts to You, gracious Father, seeking forgiveness and favor. As You view our troubled, sin-ridden nation we ask once again for mercy, for a visitation of Your Holy Spirit to overshadow, convict and heal our land. Revive us again in devotion to You. Do not give us over to our sins, as we deserve, but give us, instead, over to passionate prayer and a heart of repentance and an obedient spirit that moves Your heart. We come against the powers of darkness that seek to extinguish the light of Your salvation that brings help and hope to weary souls in this life and secures their eternal place 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

"In Jesus' Name" Video The closing song at our prayer gathering today was by a local ministry couple, Matt and Carol Frigm.

Here is a portion of the group gathered for breakfast and prayer this morning in Mount Joy.

Click on photo to enlarge

After laboriously weeding the flower gardens, a never-ending chore, I (Brooksyne) picked myself up, took a look around me and was wowed by the beauty of spring - the flowering trees, the singing birds, the comfortable temperatures, and the green grass. I quickly got my camera to capture the seasonal colors, for soon the trees will no longer be flowering. Then Sadie came running toward me so she got in the spring photo as well!

Click on photo to enlarge

While Brooksyne was at choir rehearsal last night I took a long bike ride just before sunset on the rural roads around our house and in some 5 miles didn't pass nor was I passed by a single other vehicle! This photo is on Forry Road with the ridge on the other side of the Susquehanna River visible in the distance. These fields will soon be populated with corn.

Click on photo to enlarge

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