Declaration of Love

Psalm 82:1-5 God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.  How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah. Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken. NAS

This weekend we celebrate America, and the many blessings we have been given by simply being born here. America and Americans are far from perfect, but we must admit that we are blessed and prayerfully on the path to becoming better.

On July 4^th, 1776 our Declaration of Independence was adopted; creating an America that believed among many things, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…” We were founded as a nation believing and acknowledging God; our Creator, the image of God in all people, and the obvious reality that God created us equally and is the giver of rights that no one can take away. These rights have Biblical roots and are defined and designed by our Creator. Their meanings are not susceptible to constantly changing social, political or cultural changes but are our standard, given by an unchanging God with unchanging commands, such as, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Sadly, even as these eloquent words were penned in 1776, they were not a reality. Going back over three-thousand years as Psalm 82 was God-breathed and penned, God needed to address the sin of oppressing the weak and overlooking the afflicted. This sin has a deep root that can only be destroyed through an abundant application of the love of Jesus by His followers. Declarations, documents, memes, and social media posts will not amount to anything, unless they move us to ministry that reshapes our culture and reconstructs our relationship with God and one another.

What has God put on your heart to pray, and do, to declare His love? Has He called you to help feed the hungry, to visit the prisoner, to teach children? Has He prompted you to help provide a supportive relationship and resources to someone who is afflicted, fatherless, has suffered the loss of a spouse, child, or even in a situation from ungodly choices where they need deliverance out of the hand of the wicked or a friend to journey with them out of darkness? Do you have influence to make changes in our educational, political, criminal, employment, economic or social systems? Do you see places or policies that need changing to meet the Biblical standards of righteousness? Are you known as a person who will speak up, then step up with lovingkindness to bring about Biblical, sustainable solutions?

It is vital that we pray for ALL of these, but in certain times of prayer you have probably heard God say, “I’ve heard your prayer, now get out there.” He wants to use you as an instrument to be someone’s answer to prayer, to make His will a reality.  In the story of the Good Samaritan, the “least likely” took the risk, time, compassion, and cost upon himself to help another person. That is exactly what Jesus calls us to do. Love is a verb! It is a call to action birthed and strengthened by the affect of God’s affection towards us.

Over this 4^th of July weekend, we want to encourage you to prayerfully celebrate the blessings of America; thank God for America and your life as an American, and then ask Him to show you the opportunities He has given you, the mission and purpose of your life as a Kingdom citizen and Ambassador to America for such a time as this.

Would you please unite in prayer with us now?

Lord Jesus, thank you for the many blessings of living in America. We are not a perfect nation or people, but as we lean in to listen to your Word and will, and as we look and listen to one another with love, we are assured that You will guide and guard us. Show us where You would have each of us make a difference and bring God-designed and defined change. You created each of us uniquely, for Your purposes and plans. Show us Your specific mission as we continue to cover America and one another in unified prayer. God please bless America, our “home sweet home,” until we are at last truly at home in heaven.

Kathy Branzell

President

National Day of Prayer Task Force

Upcoming Events

Join Us as We Pray for America!

There is power in united prayer! Tonight we will join together to pray in a spirit of gratitude and gratefulness, with special guests Dr. James and Shirley Dobson. Call the number below to participate in our time of prayer for America!

Click here for the full schedule of upcoming prayer calls.

About the National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

To learn more, or to find a National Day of Prayer event in your community, visit www.NationalDayofPrayer.org.