Did you know that our first President kept a prayer journal?
I didn’t, but it’s true.
George Washington compiled a personal book of prayers, written in his own handwriting, one for each morning and evening of each day of the week! His prayers provide a beautiful window into his soul, his faith, and the reason why God used him.
Take, for example, his prayer for Sunday morning… (I know it’s not easy to read, but imagine your President on his knees and praying this):
Almighty God, and most merciful Father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to Thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise Thee for Thy protection both night and day, receive O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to Thee;
I yield Thee humble and hearty thanks, that Thou has preserved me from the dangers of the night past and brought me to the light of this day, and the comfort thereof, a day which is consecrated to Thine own service and for Thine own honor.
Let my heart therefore gracious God be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works but wait on Thee, and discharge those weighty duties Thou required of me:
And since Thou art a God of pure eyes, and will be sanctified in all who draw nearer to Thee, who dost not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in Thy courts, pardon I beseech Thee, my sins, remove them from Thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of Thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into Thy temple and compass Thine altar, my prayer may come before Thee as incense, and as I desire Thou wouldst hear me calling upon Thee in my prayers, so give me peace to hear the calling on me in Thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of my soul in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me gracious God, the good work for which Thou hast sent it.
Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God and guide this day and forever for His sake, who lay down in the grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Wow! That’s incredible!
Didn’t make it all the way through the prayer? I get it. Try reading it out loud and see what you think.
On our nation’s 69th annual National Day of Prayer, what an incredible privilege we have of humbling ourselves in God’s presence and coming to him as his much-loved children to intercede on behalf of our nation and its leaders!
I can’t think of anything more powerful or life-giving than to bring our needs before the One who sits on the throne of the universe, who raises and puts down nations, and who offers life and grace to all who call on his name through his Son, Jesus Christ!
If there ever was a time to pray for America, this is it!
The National Day of Prayer Task Force President, Kathy Branzell, has written a beautiful prayer which I encourage us to include in our prayers today.
Whether you’re praying alone, with your spouse or family, or online with your friends or Community Life Group, thank you for joining us and millions of Americans in humbling ourselves before our true King and inviting him to restore our souls back to his heart and ways.
Here’s the prayer Kathy has written for this day.
Lord, we exist to give You glory. We exist because of Your glory, and in Your glory, as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. We give you thanks and praise for every breath and moment You have given to us.
We repent of our sin; for the shameful things we have done against You and for our silence when we did not speak up to proclaim Your Name, profess Your Word, or protect and practice Your will. We ask Your forgiveness.
We pray that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will spread across our nation and the entire earth as we seek Your Kingdom and righteousness; as we walk in obedience to You, and in humble unity, love one another. Jesus, the Bible says that You are “the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” You have taught us to pray, commanded us to love, and commissioned us to share Your gospel of grace. Your glory fills our hearts and families, it overflows into our neighborhoods, workplaces, campuses, churches, in our entertainment and media.
We give thanks for our military and ask that Your glory would spread to, and through them as they preserve freedom around the world.
We pray for our government, that all of our leaders and laws would be filled with Your glory, that they would magnify Your Holy Word and honor Your will and ways.
We pray that Your grace and glory would spread to bring hope to the hopeless, and love where there is hurt and hate.
God, use us as we pray your promise, that “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” In Jesus Name, Amen!
Thanks for praying!
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
Pastor Steve