This Thursday, May 4th First Church’s Upper Room House of Prayer will be hosting a time of prayer at the Livingston Courthouse Square. My belief is this is more than a prayer meeting. I believe this is an opportunity for our community to gather together and pray for a turning of the spiritual tide in our nation. As I said in the beginning of the year, I sense the Holy Spirit was accelerating His work among us and His church globally in 2023. It is clear to me this is happening and this prayer meeting will be another push of momentum going forward.
A praying Church is an unstoppable force for God’s Kingdom being built on the earth. So please make plans to attend between 11:30am and 1pm to stand in the gap with us, and pray from the heart of our city over our Nation's salvation and destiny.
If you can’t make it physically, please make some time on Thursday to pray in agreement with us for God’s will over our Nation. We are hosting this event in cooperation with the National Day of Prayer Task Force, who has provided a powerful prayer directive you can use on your own.
Can’t wait to pray with you on Thursday, as we watch God move on the behalf of His people.
Love,
Pastor John
Prayer Directive from National Day of Prayer Task Force:
How to Pray for America
WHY PRAY FOR AMERICA?
God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught unaware. Through prayer, we are able to tap into His wisdom, strength, protection, and peace. He stands ready to respond to our needs when we humbly ask for divine intervention in the affairs of men.
As we Pray for America whose pledge of allegiance recounts that we are “one nation under God,” and whose currency states that it is “in God we trust,” we want Americans to encounter the God who rules over their country. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the LORD God Almighty is His name.”
—Amos 4:13 NIV
He is the One who gave us this promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “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 I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As we humbly and diligently seek Him, we’ll be changed, and we’ll see transformation in America through prayer!
HOW TO PRAY FOR AMERICA - BY PRAYING INTO SEVEN CENTERS OF INFLUENCE IN OUR NATION
GOVERNMENT
Pray for your leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.
(I Kings 3:28; I Timothy 2:1-2; Exodus 18:21; Proverbs 11:3; Romans 13:1-2)
To read more on WHY, HOW, and WHAT to pray for the government, visit "Praying for Leaders and Elected Officials in Government"
Federal Government
Consider praying for our President, Vice President, Cabinet Members, Congressional Leaders, Supreme Court Justices
State Government
Consider praying for your Governor, Executive Leaders, Legislative Leaders, Judicial Leaders
Local Government
Consider praying for your Mayor, City Counsel, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Judges, County Officials
MILITARY
“He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them...and encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him. With him only is the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles...’” (2 Chronicles 32:6-8)
Perseverance to endure hardship (Isaiah 43:2; Deuteronomy 31:6)
Wise leaders who inspire respect from those under their command (Romans 13:1)
Protection and support for the families they have left behind (Romans 1:8-10)
To read more on WHY, HOW, and WHAT to pray for the military, visit "Praying For Our Armed Services"
MEDIA
“...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
The decision makers within the media to realize they can make a profit by producing uplifting projects (Proverbs 8:10-11)
Christians in media to find favor and be filled with creative ideas that bring kingdom principles and life-giving messages to the public (Proverbs 2:1-15)
To read more on WHY, HOW, and WHAT to pray for businesses, visit "Praying for Arts, Entertainment and Media"
BUSINESS
“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working...” (Exodus 31:3-4)
Impartation of ideas and resources to open principled businesses, especially in areas that need an economic boost (Psalm 132:15)
Christian workers to display Christ-like humility and service to their co-workers (Philippians 2:3)
To read more on WHY, HOW, and WHAT to pray for businesses, visit "Praying for Businesses and the Workplace"
EDUCATION
“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)
A safe atmosphere conductive to learning
Excellence in educators (Exodus 18:20-21)
Equal opportunities for every student to achieve their full potential (Philippians 1:9)
To read more about WHY, HOW, and WHAT to pray for churches, visit "Praying For the Education of Young People"
CHURCH
“So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:6-8)
The church would find a new zeal and commitment to the mission and purpose of Jesus Christ (Matt 22:37)
Unity with and among churches that reveal God’s love to the world (John 17:23)
Integrity–that God’s people look and act differently from the world (I Peter 2:11; 1 Corinthians 13:6)
To read more about WHY, HOW, and WHAT to pray for churches, visit "Praying for the Body of Christ"
FAMILY
“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)
Unity and love in individual families that reach out in hospitality toward others (Romans 12:9-13)
Establish healthy relationships between parents and children (Malachi 4:5-6)
