Only Prayer Can Fix What’s Broken

Tags

America, Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention, Founders, freedom, Petra, prayer, US Constitution

Only a fool has said in his heart there is no God! (Psalm 14:1 & 53:1)

America is in trouble, really big trouble. For decades, the “good” people of this nation slept and trusted our elected officials to take care of business properly. Ooops! We goofed! With increased power and decreased accountability, corrupt human nature took over. Washington DC is now occupied, and it might as well be by a foreign entity. The men and women who are charged with the responsibility to lead our nation have failed and turned us away from our heritage, away from the ideals and practices that made the US the most prosperous, most creative, most inventive, most satisfied people on earth. The way back to the Constitution, the only viable stable ground, is virtually impossible to reach simply because of the extent of the corruption and the depth of our overindulged and pampered population.

So … do we throw in the towel? Give up? HECK NO! As an old rock band used to sing, “It’s time to get on our knees and fight like men!” (and women!)

As our nation’s Founders designed their plan for a more perfect union, they understood that the success of a modern republic would require more than a political document like the Constitution. From their study of history, the Founders had learned of the pitfalls of republics before this one. They concluded that even the Constitution alone could not curb individual selfishness. They believed that virtues were necessary for sustaining the American experiment. Their fervent prayers were an integral part of the birth of our nation.

In fact, during the process, when the men were at an impass in the writing of the Constitution, it was Dr. Benjamin Franklin, (not the most devout Christian in the group!) that suggested they all pray for God’s guidance.

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move — that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.

The Presidential PrayerTeam suggests the following:

• Pray for President Obama as he prepares to more fully lay out his agenda in next month’s State of the Union address. Pray he will seek to serve the needs of the nation.
• Pray For Congressional Leaders

  Senator Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia) said the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will likely hold hearings on the problems plaguing the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner,” after its grounding by the FAA.

Representative Paul Broun (Georgia) is moving rapidly to assume Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s mantle, beginning with pressuring lawmakers to get a tighter grip on the Federal Reserve. He believes support is growing. 

Pray for the new Congress as it sets out its legislative agenda for the year, especially on debt ceiling and spending.

• Pray For Judicial Needs:
  The U.S. Supreme Court dashed a Chicago-area atheist’s final legal bid to challenge the use of state funds to renovate a towering cross in Southern Illinois known as the Bald Knob Cross. The Court did not comment on its decision.

  A federal appeals court upheld a controversial Wisconsin law that restricts the power of public sector unions, the passage of which sparked the unsuccessful effort last summer to remove Governor Scott Walker. 

  Pray for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court who will be taking up same-sex marriage issues this spring.

Current Events

WARS AND TERRORISM

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered a newly completed Afghan Uniformed Police District Headquarters in Herat Province to Afghan authorities. The structure was built by Afghan contractors under U.S. supervision. 

Afghan officials say a suicide squad launched an eight-hour assault in the capital on traffic police headquarters, killing three police officers. Authorities say all five attackers were killed in the offensive in Kabul. 

Pray about the Taliban’s intention destroying facilities such as police headquarters and killing civil officers.

FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS

Several Egyptian members of the squad of militants that lay bloody siege to the Algerian gas complex last week also took part in the deadly attack on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi, Libya, a senior Algerian official reported. 

The broader challenges the U.S. and its allies face in confronting terrorist cells that have taken up sanctuary across northern Africa was brought into focus by the bloody hostage crisis in Algeria. 

Pray about the increasing levels of Islamist militant attacks in the African continent and level of U.S. response.

THE ECONOMY

Nearly half of eligible ex-service members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are snubbing free federal healthcare they earned in uniform because many harbor “huge distrust” of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Even though much has changed over the past four years, the un-employment rate is the same today as it was when President Obama first assumed office in 2009. The current reported rate is 7.8 percent; some believe it is higher.
 

Pray for our ex-service members, many of whom count themselves among America’s unemployed.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies were sharply weakened in election results Tuesday, pushing him to try to form a coalition government with his opponents that stands to be more moderate but less stable.

The Palestinian Authority Wednesday said it would deal with any Israeli government that abides by UN resolutions calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state with the pre-1967 lines and Jerusalem as its capital. 

Pray for the strength and resolve of the new government that Prime Minister Netanyahu must now assemble.

HEALTH CARE

Millions of low-income people could be required to pay more for health care under a proposed federal policy that would give states more freedom to impose co-payments and other charges on Medicaid patients. 
The next edition of psychiatry’s diagnostic manual will include a listing for Internet-Use Disorder as a condition worth studying. Excessive internet use is a “drug” to the new generation, some claim. 

Pray about ever-escalating costs of medical care, and for America’s youth in the Facebook and Twitter culture.

Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.

Habakkuk 1:5

Advertisement