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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Our church is participating in a journey called Pray 31. The purpose of this initiative is for Christians to pray for America with a strategic purpose across the land. As I was reading the pamphlet in preparation for the prayer journey, I was moved by how much prayer can accomplish. I pray all the time, both asking for things and thanking God for things. I pray for our country’s leadership sometimes but as I read the pamphlet to prepare for this challenge, I realized how little I do pray for our country, our states and our local governments and the leaders in those governing bodies.
As I sat in church yesterday, I was reminded of how many people are suffering with their health. Of those listed on our prayer list in the bulletin, there were EIGHT who were suffering from cancer. While dealing with some other issues in prayer last night, I received a call from a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My children are both in college and face challenges every day with studies, friends and peer pressure. My husband and I face challenges in our jobs. Our immediate families face health issues of their own.
I realize how many things I have in my own life that need to be “prepped in prayer”. I am excited to get started on this Pray 31 challenge because I am excited to see how God is going to work in our country, our states, our communities and our families. I pray every day but sometimes I think my prayer time becomes a matter of habit and duty and a wish list to God.
I think about all of our preparation for our days and how we plan our to-do lists and our work time and our play time and our quiet time. We prepare our menus and what we will wear and what we do for the weekend. We prepare for the short-term and we prepare for retirement. In all of our preparation, let’s not forget the most important element of preparedness …….and that is prayer. Over the next 31 days, let’s prep everything in prayer and see how God shows Himself as He works miracles.
