Imagine the power of an entire nation praying in unison? Let's do this!
In mid-April of 1945, the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was put to death on the gallows in a Germany prison for treason against the Third Reich. Bonhoeffer could have missed all of the dangers of Germany by staying in the United States, for prior to the beginning of the war he had a sabbatical in New York City and was asked to stay. His strong preaching and teaching was in great demand and while Bonhoeffer was tempted, his heart and conscience told him he must return to his flock in the Lutheran Church. While many pastors had accepted Hitler's offer to preach in a revised religious manner, equating God to and equal status with Hitler, the conservative Reverend Bonhoeffer refused, rightfully calling it blasphemy. But his church work after that time was done in secrecy and of an underground variety to avoid suspicion, while Bonhoeffer looked on the surface like a man supporting Hitler, but nothing could be further from the truth. He also continued his civilian work with Ministry of Intelligence and, unbeknownst to his superiors, was sending classified messages to the Allies to help them in their invasion plans. Finally caught, near the end, he was arrested, charged and convicted of treason, and ultimately put to death within less than three weeks of the end of the war. It is with this viewpoint in mind, that today's prayer is offered for we are in the middle of a storm here at home which borders on the similar situation faced by Bonhoeffer since our faith is under siege. Never, ever give up the faith if you want to really live, for salvation can never be attained without that faith. And here's my prayer for this day.
A PRAYER FOR OUR NATIONAL FREEDOM AND SALVATION
On this beautiful Sunday, Dear Lord, we thank you for the beauty and the majesty of this bright sunny day and and all the many other blessings you give to us, both seen and unseen. We know that we are so undeserving of your love and that we so often disappoint you, yet we know in our hearts that you love us deeply and completely in spite of ourselves. We also praise you for the great positive powers you possess, including your giving each of us the gift of Life which surpasses all understanding of our mortally constricted and limited abilities we possess and we thank you for the patience, love and grace that you show for us.
Lord, many Americans of faith are deeply concerned these days when we watch the direction our nation is taking. Things are today considered right when they clearly are known that they aren't and, conversely, things are considered wrong when we know them to be right. Some tell us they are following scientific thought when it is clear they are not, and many of those same people tell us we are not following scientific thought when we know we are applying the principles of science. Furthermore, so many scorn the thought of you, God, being an all powerful being possessing all knowledge and supplementing it with things to come in the future which only you can know. Help us to fight the temptation of many to cave to the persuasion of so many who don't wish to accept our views and to hold fast to those things we absolutely know are true. Also give us the discernment through our reading of the Scriptures and walking and talking with you individually to know in our hearts when someone is of Truth and not Falsehood. That is a big challenge for us in this time of so many differing issues being foisted upon us at once and we ask that you help us to stay up to the challenges of this life which is so dramatically changing at warp speed.
Finally, Lord, give us the grace and understanding to never bow down to anyone denying you and to stand firm and fast. Never let us deny the special relationship that our great Founders accepted as American principles and let them always be strong even after we individually depart. Let America retain that relationship until Jesus returns to save the World and banish Satan. Let the Holy Spirit within us provide us with the counsel and guidance we need when under pressure to hold the line for you, to never doubt you and to never deny you no matter what might befall us. With you at our side we can't fail, no matter what they might do, even if we are put to death, for if we believe in Jesus as our Savior and your Son, death on this earth will ultimately be a blessing for we will advance to the Heavenly Home that you have provided for us. Furthermore, by standing for God and the American Way, we will leave this world knowing that we have positively impacted those left behind to stand strong until their time of decision comes and that is a great legacy for us to leave behind for future Americans. Let's hope that Americans will continue to pray to you for guidance and Salvation for as many years as we have left on this earth and may you ever be here shining light and God.
We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who died to give us the opportunity to receive forgiveness of our sins, Amen.
A PRAYER FOR OUR NATIONAL FREEDOM AND SALVATION
On this beautiful Sunday, Dear Lord, we thank you for the beauty and the majesty of this bright sunny day and and all the many other blessings you give to us, both seen and unseen. We know that we are so undeserving of your love and that we so often disappoint you, yet we know in our hearts that you love us deeply and completely in spite of ourselves. We also praise you for the great positive powers you possess, including your giving each of us the gift of Life which surpasses all understanding of our mortally constricted and limited abilities we possess and we thank you for the patience, love and grace that you show for us.
Lord, many Americans of faith are deeply concerned these days when we watch the direction our nation is taking. Things are today considered right when they clearly are known that they aren't and, conversely, things are considered wrong when we know them to be right. Some tell us they are following scientific thought when it is clear they are not, and many of those same people tell us we are not following scientific thought when we know we are applying the principles of science. Furthermore, so many scorn the thought of you, God, being an all powerful being possessing all knowledge and supplementing it with things to come in the future which only you can know. Help us to fight the temptation of many to cave to the persuasion of so many who don't wish to accept our views and to hold fast to those things we absolutely know are true. Also give us the discernment through our reading of the Scriptures and walking and talking with you individually to know in our hearts when someone is of Truth and not Falsehood. That is a big challenge for us in this time of so many differing issues being foisted upon us at once and we ask that you help us to stay up to the challenges of this life which is so dramatically changing at warp speed.
Finally, Lord, give us the grace and understanding to never bow down to anyone denying you and to stand firm and fast. Never let us deny the special relationship that our great Founders accepted as American principles and let them always be strong even after we individually depart. Let America retain that relationship until Jesus returns to save the World and banish Satan. Let the Holy Spirit within us provide us with the counsel and guidance we need when under pressure to hold the line for you, to never doubt you and to never deny you no matter what might befall us. With you at our side we can't fail, no matter what they might do, even if we are put to death, for if we believe in Jesus as our Savior and your Son, death on this earth will ultimately be a blessing for we will advance to the Heavenly Home that you have provided for us. Furthermore, by standing for God and the American Way, we will leave this world knowing that we have positively impacted those left behind to stand strong until their time of decision comes and that is a great legacy for us to leave behind for future Americans. Let's hope that Americans will continue to pray to you for guidance and Salvation for as many years as we have left on this earth and may you ever be here shining light and God.
We ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, who died to give us the opportunity to receive forgiveness of our sins, Amen.
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