Nation's Repentance

Tonight I attended a presentation at a local church on God and government that was extremely fascinating. The man that was leading the presentation referred to this prayer and I thought that you might like to read it.

The original prayer was delivered on January 23, 1996 by the Reverend Joe Wright to the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka, Kansas.

"Heavenly Father, We come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it moral pluralism.

We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.

We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy.

We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us O God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you, to govern this great state.Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask it in the name of your son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen."

After The Election...

Well... the election is over. I have to admit, when I first saw the words on the TV screen "Breaking News: Obama Wins The Presidency", I was a little shocked. OK, little is an understatement. I was befuzzeled! (And that isn't even a real word!) I was thinking, 'OK God. What are You up to? I know You're in control and you're going to take care of us, but I don't understand your plan.' Then the thought popped into my head: "Anna, My thoughts are not your thoughts. My ways are not your ways; My ways are higher than your ways."

Please continue to pray for our leaders, even if you don't agree with what they stand for. "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44, ISV) I don't know about you, but when I hear about people who believe in everything that I'm totally against, I view them as my enemy. Well, Jesus said that we are supposed to pray for them, and not only that, but we're supposed to love them too! I have to admit, I haven't done either as often as I should! (Lord, forgive me.)

This is the time for the children of the most high God to stand up and speak out for Christ. He has given us an opportunity and we should be obedient to whatever He asks us to do.

Next time you pray, just remember our leaders and our country after the election.

Pray The Vote- Day 28-30

Day 28- November 2- Matthew 21:21-22
Ask, believing, for God's leaders to be elected. Trust Him now.

Day 29- November 3- Psalm 25:4-5
Thank God for your salvation and that He has led you in to His truth during these days of prayer.

Day 30- November 4- Amos 7:7
Vote Today! Consider fasting today also. Read the following quote by Matthew Henry:

"God bears long, but he will not bear always with a provoking people. The remembrance of the mercies we formerly received, like the produce of the earth of the former growth, should make us submissive to the will of God, when we meet with disappointments in the latter growth. The Lord has many ways of humbling a sinful nation. Whatever trouble we are under, we should be most earnest with god for the forgiveness of sin. Sin will soon make a great people small. What will become of Israel, if the hand that should raise him be stretched out against him? See the power of prayer. See what a blessing praying people are to a land. See how ready, how swift God is to show mercy; how he waits to be gracious. Israel was a wall, a strong wall, which God himself reared as a defense to His sanctuary. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall. He measures it; it appears to be a bowing, bulging wall. Thus god would bring the people of Israel to the trial, would discover their wickedness; and the time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be spared no longer. But the Lord still calls Israel His people. The repeated prayer and success of the prophet should lead us to seek the Saviour."

Pray For Eli

There is a little boy named Elijah that needs your prayer. He is less than 2 years old and is in the hospital with his liver and kidneys failing. It would take a miracle for him to live.

But my God is BIG enough! He is the one "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine". Nothing is too big for my God and I'm trusting Him with the impossible. But whatever happens is His perfect will as long as we are seeking Him. I'll praise him no matter what and I know that Elijah's parents will too.

Please pray for Elijah and his family. They are going through a very rough time right now and they need your prayers. Thank you and God bless.
(I'll update later and tell you how he is doing.)


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Day 25- October 30- Colossians 4:2-6
Pray for your personal witness for Christ to be strong at this time.

Day 26- October 31- 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
Praise God for the privilege of serving Jesus at this time in history.

Day 27- November 1- 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Ask the Father to strengthen you and empower you as His minister.

Pray The Vote- Day 23 and 24

Please continue praying. Remember: the presidential election is only a week away!

Day 23- October 28- Luke 6:45
Help us to listen well to the candidates' words and then "hear their hearts."

Day 24- October 29- Philippians 4:6-7
Pray for the peace of God as you make your final choice in the election.

Pray The Vote- Day 21 and 22

Day 21- October 26- Proverbs 3:5-7
Help me not to try to be "wise in my own eyes." Forgive me for "leaning on my own understanding," Lord.

Day 22- October 27- Proverbs 12:5
Pray for righteousness in our leaders.

Pray The Vote- Day 19 and 20

Day 19- October 24- 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Pray for the salvation of all leaders and candidates.

Day 20- October 25- Psalm 5:8-12
Ask God to protect and defend those candidates that love His name.

Pray The Vote- Day 17 and 18

Day 17- October 22- Psalm 139:14-17
Pray for the Biblical truth concerning life to be a priority for our new administration.

Day 18- October 23- John 1:1-5
Pray for leadership that holds a Christian worldview so we may be known as a Christian nation.

Worship Time

For the past 6 weeks we have been studying the Experiencing God (youth edition) bible study at my church. Each chapter of this bible study is divided up into sections (0r days) and each section is on a different subject that revolves around seven key truths.

One of the themes for week 4 was based on worship. The workbook asked its' readers to spend some time worshiping God. Of course for me this was my favorite part about the whole bible study. I love to worship my Saviour!

So for almost an hour, I just sat in my room, played my guitar, and sang praises to my heavenly Father. I sang:

" I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship You. Oh my soul, rejoice. Take joy my King in what You hear. May It be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear."

Also, I sang songs like "How Great Is Our God", "How Great Thou Art", "Amazing Grace-My Chains Are Gone", and "God of Wonders."
The book then asked me to summarize what I thought about that time of worship. This is what I wrote:

"I long to love my God with ALL my heart and I long to show God that love in my worship time. He is worthy of all my praise, and I want Him to know that in my worship time.
Worship for me is the time that I feel like I'm truly in the presence of God. I know that God is always with me, but worship just reminds me of His presence."

I really enjoy these times of worship when I can praise my Savior and Lord, not just for what He has done for me, but also for who He is.

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Day 16- October 21- Matthew 19:4-6
Pray for leadership that will protect God's definition of marriage.

Pray The Vote- Day 14 and 15

Day 14- October 19- James 1:5-6a
Ask God for His wisdom that He promises to you.

Day 15- October 20- Proverbs 21:21
Pray for leadership that follows after righteousness.

Pray The Vote- Day 13

Day 13- October 18- John 16:13-14
Thank Him that He promises to show us "things to come."

VERY Late Pray The Votes

I'm sorry that these are so late! I've been extremely busy studying for an upcoming test. I couldn't find the time to get on the computer and type these out so please forgive me. I'll try to catch you up!

Day 9- October 14- Proverbs 2:3-6
Pray for the knowledge and understanding of God.

Day 10- October 15- Proverbs 14:26, 34
Thank God for His promise of confidence and protection.

Day 11- October 16- Psalms 32:8
Thank Him for showing us what He wants us to do in this election.

I'm going to give you the one for tomorrow as well because I'm not sure if I'll have time to post.

Day 12- October 17- Ephesians 5:14-17
Thank Him for the promise of understanding His will.

Pray The Vote- Day 8

Day 8- October 13- Proverbs 1:7
Reverence for God through prayer, fasting and meditating on His Word will bring answers.
Pray for His answers

Pray The Vote- Day 7

Day 7- October 12- Jeremiah 33:3
Call out to the Father; He will answer and show you His will.

Pray The Vote- Day 6

Day 6- October 11- Psalm 5:8
Pray for God's guidance because of the enemies of our faith.

My Daybook 2

Outside my window...
The sky is full of grey clouds and the sun is trying to peak around them.
The leaves of the trees appear more green because of the rain two days ago. The temperature is still warm, but signs of fall are everywhere!

I am thinking...
That I would like to accomplish all of my assignments in a timely manner and do them all with a good attitude.

I'm thankful for...
God's protection from the recent storms and His marvelous grace that He has shown His servant this week.

From the kitchen...
I haven't even had breakfast yet! Hopefully some biscuits, sausage, eggs, grits, toast, bacon, etc. Ha! Now I'm dreaming!

I am going...
To a church function with my friend Lauren.

I am wearing...
An off white cotton t-shirt with blue plaid shorts. Wow, what a combination! They are my PJ's ya know!

I am reading...
The Bible with my mother every morning in our Bible study and I'm loving every minute of it!

I am hoping...
That I do well on my test at the end of this month.

I am hearing...
The sound of the TV in my grandmother's room...the sound of cleaner being sprayed, by my mother, in the master bathroom...the sound of typing...etc.

One of my favorite things...
Eating chocolate chip muffins with butter right after they have come out of the oven. YUM!

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Pray The Vote- Day 5

Day 5- October 10- Romans 13:1
To prepare to vote, pray God will check your understanding in the
light of His truth.

Pray The Vote-Day 3 and 4

I'm sorry that days 3 is late! Here it is if you would still like to use it:

Day 3- October 8- Colossians 1:16-17
Leaders and governments are His creation.
Pray that our new leadership will honor our Lord Jesus Christ.

Day 4- October 9- Ephesians 1:17-22
God Is above all power, even the U.S. government.
Pray that "the eyes of your understanding be opened."

Pray The Vote- Day 2

Day 2- October 7- Daniel 4:17

God rules over the kingdom of man.
Pray for our Father to direct your vote to His chosen leader.

Pray The Vote- Day 1

At my home church we have started a thirty-day prayer program for the upcoming presidential election. I would like to share it with you so that you may follow along if you feel led.
Each day I will post a scripture and a prayer concerning that scripture. Please add this to your daily routine. This election is extremely important for the future of our country, so please pray faithfully.
Here is the first day:

Day 1- October 6- Daniel 2:20-22
Pray for Godly wisdom concerning your vote.

(Even if you are not old enough to vote, please pray for our country anyway. The people that are elected in November will affect your future and the future of your children!)

We All Need The Savior

One of my School assignments this week was to write a comparison paper on the faith of Islam and Christianity. I thought I would share what I learned about the religion of Islam.

Islam is the youngest of the major world religions, but is still the largest. Followers of Islam, or Muslims, are required to believe certain doctrines and to perform certain duties. Islam and Christianity have many similarities and many differences. Here are some facts about both religions that I thought were interesting:
1) Belief in God
• Muslims believe that there no god but Allah.
• Christians believe in the one true God who is revealed in Scripture as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or the Trinity.
2) Prayer
• Muslims are required to perform the ritual of prayer. They must kneel and bow in the direction of the holy city (Mecca) and pray five times a day.
• Christians pray based on their relationship with God. Prayer is not required to be a Christian, but it is a way to communicate with the Father in Heaven.
3) Sin
• Muslims believe that humans are born without sin. When their born, they believe their hearts are a clean slate and that their free from sin.
• Christians believe that when a human is born they are already corrupted by sin and need God's grace to be free from that sin.
4) Salvation
• Muslims believe that to become a Muslim, a person must publicly repeat the words: "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the prophet of Allah". This statement of belief is called the Shahadah. Muslims also believe that a person has to earn his or her salvation.
• Christians believe in a loving God who sent His Son to die for their sins, according to the Bible. They believe that Jesus paid the price for their sins and now they are free from the bondage of death.

I believe that the Muslims are a lost people who need to be saved. They are blinded from the truth and need the love of God to be revealed to them as quickly as possible. Though they hate Christians because of our faith in Jesus Christ, God still loves them.

Please pray for the Muslims around the world that need to come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.