"...these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer... for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. "
- Isaiah 56:7 NIV
"Everyday I thought I could not be blessed more, then the next day I was." - Karen
If you are feeling that Joy is in short supply in your life, consider joining us at the Summit the weekend of October 16-18th! Experience for yourself what Isaiah 56:7 promises- Finding Joy in prayer!
Register today! Early bird registration ends August 31st. Register now and save with the discounted price. Come for $85 and bring a friend(s) for $55 each. ($95 and $65 starting 9/1/2009)
Read more about the Summit here>>
Sincerely,
Lisa Crump
National Day of Prayer
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Focus
Just thirty years ago who would have ever dreamed that within our nation we would be...
> debating whether the Ten Commandments or Christmas manger scenes should be allowed on public property?
> voting to define marriage as a union explicitly between a man and a woman?
> arguing as to whether life begins in the womb?
> contemplating whether 'One Nation Under God' should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance?
What is happening here??
Well, what's happening is that we are becoming a nation that is forgetting who God is and therefore, our walls of morality are crumbling and deteriorating.
If you're a Christian...this may ring a bell with you! Remember Nehemiah?
You may recall the story from the Old Testament...it had been over 400 years since Solomon built the great temple in Jerusalem; and now - - it has come to Nehemiah's attention that the walls and the gates of Jerusalem are in absolute disrepair.
More importantly, though, he realizes that in those 400 years, the nation of Israel has 'crumbled' time and time again because of it's rebellion and disobedience to God.
So, Nehemiah intercedes in prayer on behalf of both the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. He asks God to forgive the people's sins, and in effect, give them another chance at being recognized as a nation...a nation that worships the one true God!
God honored Nehemiah's prayer of intercession. He did so because Nehemiah was a man of action. God knew that Nehemiah would give more than just lip-service in uniting nation...he would fight for it.
It's incredible to discover that Nehemiah rallied the nation and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in just 52 days!!!
However, his faithful action also led to a spiritual rebuilding of the nation of Israel as well!!!
Perhaps, just perhaps, if each of us will pray on behalf of our nation . . . God will listen and help us turn back to Him.
Will YOU be a Nehemiah?
"O Lord, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people. I confess that we have sinned against You. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned."
- Nehemiah 1:6 (NLT)
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
'THE FOCUS' is a weekly email devotional prepared by:
Dennis J. Wheeler, Pastor
dennis_wheeler123@yahoo.com - email
used by permission.
> debating whether the Ten Commandments or Christmas manger scenes should be allowed on public property?
> voting to define marriage as a union explicitly between a man and a woman?
> arguing as to whether life begins in the womb?
> contemplating whether 'One Nation Under God' should be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance?
What is happening here??
Well, what's happening is that we are becoming a nation that is forgetting who God is and therefore, our walls of morality are crumbling and deteriorating.
If you're a Christian...this may ring a bell with you! Remember Nehemiah?
You may recall the story from the Old Testament...it had been over 400 years since Solomon built the great temple in Jerusalem; and now - - it has come to Nehemiah's attention that the walls and the gates of Jerusalem are in absolute disrepair.
More importantly, though, he realizes that in those 400 years, the nation of Israel has 'crumbled' time and time again because of it's rebellion and disobedience to God.
So, Nehemiah intercedes in prayer on behalf of both the nation of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. He asks God to forgive the people's sins, and in effect, give them another chance at being recognized as a nation...a nation that worships the one true God!
God honored Nehemiah's prayer of intercession. He did so because Nehemiah was a man of action. God knew that Nehemiah would give more than just lip-service in uniting nation...he would fight for it.
It's incredible to discover that Nehemiah rallied the nation and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in just 52 days!!!
However, his faithful action also led to a spiritual rebuilding of the nation of Israel as well!!!
Perhaps, just perhaps, if each of us will pray on behalf of our nation . . . God will listen and help us turn back to Him.
Will YOU be a Nehemiah?
"O Lord, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people. I confess that we have sinned against You. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned."
- Nehemiah 1:6 (NLT)
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
'THE FOCUS' is a weekly email devotional prepared by:
Dennis J. Wheeler, Pastor
dennis_wheeler123@yahoo.com - email
used by permission.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
NDP and Children
Dear National Day Of Prayer Leaders and Mrs. Shirley Dobson,
I’m writing to thank you all for your hard work and dedication in leading our Nation to pray during our annual National Day of Prayer. Your efforts have surely made a difference in the destiny of our great Nation and on the present and future welfare of our people. Thank you so much. I wanted to also share with you how the Lord has used your ministry to specifically touch the lives of children.
Last year I felt compelled to start a special event for children on the National Day of Prayer, called “Power Play – Play and Pray at the Park”. We talk so much about the importance of prayer for our Nation, but yet it seemed to me that I was doing so little in regards to teaching this all important spiritual discipline to our future leaders. So for the past two years, on the National Day of Prayer, we have gathered with the children of our church and other churches at a local park where the children played and had snacks followed by a devotion and prayer for
I am particularly burdened for the future of our Nation and feel that it is critical that we teach our children today how to pray for
A few days after the National Day of Prayer, I noticed my eight year old son, Caden, had his little blue prayer card sitting on his night stand beside his bed. I really did not think much of it, but was glad to see that my effort to teach these children how to pray for their country, with this little blue card, at least made it to his bedroom and did not end up in the trash can or lost in the endless sea of school papers.
Just last night, as we were preparing to say the blessing over our evening meal, Caden asked if he could say the prayer. I of course obliged. As our family of five bowed our heads, my eight year old son began to pray from memory the words of the prayer that I had written for the National Day of Prayer event:
“Thank you God for
keep her safe and always free.
Make our land a Godly Nation,
for me and those born after me.”
I was so blown away that this simple prayer, that I never really thought would go past the National Day of Prayer, had made its way into the recesses of his heart and mind. It was then that I knew, the future of our country rests on little boys and girls learning the power of prayer today and on moms and dads showing them how.
Thank you again, for all that you do to draw us back to the source of our strength as a Nation, as families, and as individuals.
God bless
Darren W. Thomas Ed.D.
Minister of Education
First Baptist
Monday, May 4, 2009
Even now, the future is all new clay
Fittingly, the first presidential inaugural occurred in the newness of spring.
To us, it is all settled and dusty history, as solid and firm as the marble of the statues used to memorialize old heroes. But to them it was all new clay, ready to be shaped by each touch of their hands.
George Washington wrote to James Madison 220 years ago today, May 5th, that: “As the first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.”
The new Constitution prescribed the president’s oath, but the first president felt that his unique new office of servant-leadership should also be commenced by a statement to the people. Coming down from the balcony where he had given the oath to the floor of the Senate Chamber, President Washington addressed a joint session of the two Houses of Congress.
In his inaugural address he offered, as his “first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect.”
For the Congress, it was no mystery who Washington knew was that Almighty Being. Washington had always incorporated his faith into his public leadership. Ten years earlier, in May, 1779, in speaking to a different representative body, an assembly of Delaware Indian chiefs, he said:
“Brothers: I am a Warrior. My words are few and plain; but I will make good what I say,” Gen. Washington told the chiefs. “You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.”
When the Hebrew Congregation of Savannah, Georgia, on May 6, 1789, wrote to thank the retired general, upon his inauguration, for helping to remove from them the “cloud of bigotry and superstition” and for having “enfranchised us with all the privileges and immunities of free citizens”, President Washington’s response elegantly expressed the Biblical unity of Jews and Christians without offending the faith of either: “May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in a promised land, whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of heaven and make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.”
A few hours before the first inaugural ball began on May 7th, 1789, the first senators met with President Washington so that Vice President John Adams, the president of the Senate, could read to him the Senate’s written concurrence that each precedent set by their new government must be fixed on God’s true principles:
“[W]e are with you unavoidably led to acknowledge and adore the Great Arbiter of the Universe, by whom empires rise and fall,” said Adams on behalf of our first Senate. “We feel, sir, the force and acknowledge the justness of the observation that the foundation of our national policy should be laid in private morality. If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in vain to look for public virtue.”
This Thursday, May 7, 2009, is the National Day of Prayer. Join your community at noon on the courthouse steps. Because even now, the future is all new clay, ready to be shaped by each touch of our hands, each intent of our hearts, and each prayer from our lips.
--END--
Author: J. Michael Sharman
Column No. 170
Publication Date: May 5, 2009
Title: Even now, the future is all new clay
posted by permission
1. George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Chapter: 179: TO JAMES MADISON May 5, 1789 Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/848/102082 on 2009-05-02
2. The Newport Herald, Newport, May 7, 1789, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/washington-george-the-newport-herald-newport-may-7
3. Washington’s Inaugural Address of 1789, April 30, 1789, A Transcription, National Archives and Records Administration, Accessed from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html on 2009-05-02.
4. George Washington, George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Chapter: 45: SPEECH TO THE DELAWARE CHIEFS Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/848/101782 on 2009-05-02
5. Letter from Levi Sheftal of the Hebrew Congregation of Savannah, Georgia, May 6, 1789, “Judaic Treasures of the Library of Congress: The Father of His Country”, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/loc/washington.html
6. George Washington, George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Chapter: 191: TO THE HEBREW CONGREGATIONS OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/848/102106/2200585 on 2009-05-04
“Address of the Senate to George Washington, President of the United States”, May 7. 1789 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/print.php?pid=65424
To us, it is all settled and dusty history, as solid and firm as the marble of the statues used to memorialize old heroes. But to them it was all new clay, ready to be shaped by each touch of their hands.
George Washington wrote to James Madison 220 years ago today, May 5th, that: “As the first of everything in our situation will serve to establish a Precedent, it is devoutly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.”
The new Constitution prescribed the president’s oath, but the first president felt that his unique new office of servant-leadership should also be commenced by a statement to the people. Coming down from the balcony where he had given the oath to the floor of the Senate Chamber, President Washington addressed a joint session of the two Houses of Congress.
In his inaugural address he offered, as his “first official Act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe, who presides in the Councils of Nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect.”
For the Congress, it was no mystery who Washington knew was that Almighty Being. Washington had always incorporated his faith into his public leadership. Ten years earlier, in May, 1779, in speaking to a different representative body, an assembly of Delaware Indian chiefs, he said:
“Brothers: I am a Warrior. My words are few and plain; but I will make good what I say,” Gen. Washington told the chiefs. “You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.”
When the Hebrew Congregation of Savannah, Georgia, on May 6, 1789, wrote to thank the retired general, upon his inauguration, for helping to remove from them the “cloud of bigotry and superstition” and for having “enfranchised us with all the privileges and immunities of free citizens”, President Washington’s response elegantly expressed the Biblical unity of Jews and Christians without offending the faith of either: “May the same wonder-working Deity, who long since delivered the Hebrews from their Egyptian oppressors, planted them in a promised land, whose providential agency has lately been conspicuous in establishing these United States as an independent nation, still continue to water them with the dews of heaven and make the inhabitants of every denomination participate in the temporal and spiritual blessings of that people whose God is Jehovah.”
A few hours before the first inaugural ball began on May 7th, 1789, the first senators met with President Washington so that Vice President John Adams, the president of the Senate, could read to him the Senate’s written concurrence that each precedent set by their new government must be fixed on God’s true principles:
“[W]e are with you unavoidably led to acknowledge and adore the Great Arbiter of the Universe, by whom empires rise and fall,” said Adams on behalf of our first Senate. “We feel, sir, the force and acknowledge the justness of the observation that the foundation of our national policy should be laid in private morality. If individuals be not influenced by moral principles, it is in vain to look for public virtue.”
This Thursday, May 7, 2009, is the National Day of Prayer. Join your community at noon on the courthouse steps. Because even now, the future is all new clay, ready to be shaped by each touch of our hands, each intent of our hearts, and each prayer from our lips.
--END--
Author: J. Michael Sharman
Column No. 170
Publication Date: May 5, 2009
Title: Even now, the future is all new clay
posted by permission
1. George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Chapter: 179: TO JAMES MADISON May 5, 1789 Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/848/102082 on 2009-05-02
2. The Newport Herald, Newport, May 7, 1789, http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/washington-george-the-newport-herald-newport-may-7
3. Washington’s Inaugural Address of 1789, April 30, 1789, A Transcription, National Archives and Records Administration, Accessed from http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/american_originals/inaugtxt.html on 2009-05-02.
4. George Washington, George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Chapter: 45: SPEECH TO THE DELAWARE CHIEFS Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/848/101782 on 2009-05-02
5. Letter from Levi Sheftal of the Hebrew Congregation of Savannah, Georgia, May 6, 1789, “Judaic Treasures of the Library of Congress: The Father of His Country”, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/loc/washington.html
6. George Washington, George Washington: A Collection, compiled and edited by W.B. Allen (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1988). Chapter: 191: TO THE HEBREW CONGREGATIONS OF THE CITY OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA Accessed from http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/848/102106/2200585 on 2009-05-04
“Address of the Senate to George Washington, President of the United States”, May 7. 1789 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/print.php?pid=65424
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
DayofPrayer09 Metro Nashville Resolution
A resolution proclaiming May 7, 2009, as National Day of Prayer.
WHEREAS, May 7, 2009, is the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, the religious freedom guaranteed us by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the diversity of faiths practiced in America have made our land a beacon for people who seek freedom to worship according to their conscience; and
WHEREAS, Americans of every race, background and creed come together in their places of worship, homes and work places to pray for guidance, wisdom and courage; and
WHEREAS, just as we rely on prayer for courage, hope and renewal in our private lives, so too do we turn to prayer at times of joy, crises, economic uncertainty and tragedy in our public life as a Nation, a State and a City; and
WHEREAS, Congress, by Public Law 100-307, has called on our citizens to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society by recognizing annually a “National Day of Prayer” and many of our Nation’s Presidents have asked us to pray for our Nation; and
WHEREAS, at this time in our history, we are especially mindful of the heroic men and women serving in our Armed Forces, especially those serving abroad for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we will seek and their families; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer as May 7, 2009, and encourage all residents to pray and request of their Creator, “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our HOPE in you” – Psalm 33:22.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as proclaiming May 7, 2009, as National Day of Prayer.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
INTRODUCED BY:
Jim Hodge
Randy Foster
Jim Gotto
WHEREAS, May 7, 2009, is the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, the religious freedom guaranteed us by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the diversity of faiths practiced in America have made our land a beacon for people who seek freedom to worship according to their conscience; and
WHEREAS, Americans of every race, background and creed come together in their places of worship, homes and work places to pray for guidance, wisdom and courage; and
WHEREAS, just as we rely on prayer for courage, hope and renewal in our private lives, so too do we turn to prayer at times of joy, crises, economic uncertainty and tragedy in our public life as a Nation, a State and a City; and
WHEREAS, Congress, by Public Law 100-307, has called on our citizens to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society by recognizing annually a “National Day of Prayer” and many of our Nation’s Presidents have asked us to pray for our Nation; and
WHEREAS, at this time in our history, we are especially mindful of the heroic men and women serving in our Armed Forces, especially those serving abroad for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we will seek and their families; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer as May 7, 2009, and encourage all residents to pray and request of their Creator, “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our HOPE in you” – Psalm 33:22.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as proclaiming May 7, 2009, as National Day of Prayer.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.
INTRODUCED BY:
Jim Hodge
Randy Foster
Jim Gotto
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Dear NDP
Thank you so much for sending me material for the National Day of Prayer. When April comes, I will be putting notices about that day in our local paper. I'm committee to do this even though I'm 92 years old. I want to serve Jesus until he calls me home! I have tried to get some one who would take my place but no one seems interested! So I'll carry on with God's help and your help help! Enclosed is a small token to pay part of the postage. I appreciate you very much and thanks again.
Love in Christ,
Theresa in MN
Love in Christ,
Theresa in MN
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
GOD REWARDS OUR FAITHFULNESS
When struggles in our lives seem to overwhelm us, you and I need to remember some words from an old hymn that asks God to “Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of your hand.” Sometimes, our workloads can become unbearably heavy and our days extremely hectic with responsibilities, it is then that God looks down and picks us up holding us fast, securely in His hand. This happens many times when we aren’t even aware of His help. Let me encourage you to learn to “lean on Him” and feel the strength of His loving arms surrounding you. Listen for His comforting voice telling you that He cares for you and that His grace is sufficient for each day’s trials and needs.
The Lord devises ways of turning difficulties into deliverances and problems into praise. He WILL glorify His name in our lives even when we are in tough situations.
When all that we do is done to gain glory for the Lord, God blesses and multiplies that kind of attitude.
Each of you is working towards another National Day of Prayer, the crowning day of your efforts each year. The load you carry is huge. You can’t even see your way around the mountain of responsibilities. But, be faithful and you will hear God’s “Well done, my Faithful Servant!”
Never lose sight of our goal—to make an impact for Christ on peoples’ lives, that ultimately will also make an eternal difference. How many souls will know Jesus better because of the impact you’ve made on them.
A person who has never lost himself in a cause bigger than himself has missed one of life’s mountaintop experiences. I know we have all found ourselves facing tasks bigger than ourselves. It is then that you and I must learn to “lean heavily” on God’s promise to equip us and go before us, as He opens the doors.
Our responsibility is to “drop a seed” wherever we are. We may be unaware of the crop we have sown. Some never know they have planted a forest. They will be stunned to find those extra jewels in their heavenly crowns. God has promised that “His word shall not return unto Him void.” I think there is also the promise that “Our work for Him never returns void.” Don’t forget that D. L. Moody’s life was impacted when he heard “The world has yet to see what the Lord can do in and through and for the one who is fully yielded to Him.
When the days become exceedingly weary, Psalm 23 tells us that our Shepherd will refresh us and carry us to quiet streams of peace and hope and comfort. He knows we need those precious moments to reflect only on Him. Remember, even Jesus found the need to go aside and rest in the bosom of His Father. If Jesus needed to be refreshed, how much more do we need that special time of coming apart into our Heavenly Father’s presence.
Nothing is more rewarding than to know that God only asks each of us to be a vessel to do His work on earth. Our responsibility is to use our abilities to sow the seed He designs for us to do. It is God who brings the increase that He desires from our labors. When we do the Lord’s work, our efforts do not return empty but will accomplish whatever He wishes (Isaiah 33:11). And we don’t do His work without His help. Philippians 2:13 tells us that “God is at work within you helping you do the tasks assigned to you.” Duty is ours. The results are God’s
I have a note on my desk that says, “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let’s not let our hectic schedules and heavy loads overwhelm us, but let us “keep on, keeping on!” God gives great rewards for our faithfulness!
--Fern Nilson
National Honorary Leader
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