Prayer for our Nation

This is not my typical blog post, but I wanted to pass on a section from our school newsletter.  As a faculty we have been focusing on prayer for our nation as we approach the election.  That is a small piece of the background for excerpt.

THE POWER OF PRAYER Since our nation's very first days, God's greatest movements in our midst have been fashioned and sustained by prayer, from the signing of our earliest documents, to our triumphs over days of darkness, to the spiritual awakenings that have sustained our faith and resolve over the centuries.  Throughout Scripture and throughout our history as a nation, persistent, prevailing, intentional, and never-ending prayer has always brought the presence of God. How vast are the possibilities when we pray! Prayer is a wonderful power placed by the almighty God into the hands of His saints.  When we humbly seek His face in prayer, he is moved to act on our behalf and accomplish His desires for us. And when we seek God in prayer for our leaders, we impact the very direction our nation will take. THOMAS JEFFERSON Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.  Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.  Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.  In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --Washington, DC, March 4, 1801 ********************* Only God can unite us. Let's ask Him to do just that. Will you commit to pray daily for the 40 days leading up to the 2012 Presidential election, Sept. 28-Nov. 6? If so, go to maxlucado.com/election to register.  In the meantime, consider praying this prayer... Dear Heavenly Father, You have given us this promise: "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 So, we pray to you. We choose to turn from evil and to look to You, our God. Please                            Unite us                            Strengthen us                            Appoint and anoint our 2013-2016 President. In the name of Christ we pray,   Amen