The Pilgrim Path---Habakkuk 2:14 (5--7--20)

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

The first Thursday of May was set apart as the National Day of Prayer by Congress in 1952 (signed into Law by President Truman). Last year, just over 60,000 local community groups gathered across the United States for various prayer observances. This year, we'll have to be far more creative.

Tonight, from 8 PM to 10 PM Eastern Time---you may check out the National Day of Prayer Task Force Special Assembly on face book:

https://www.facebook.com/natlprayer

The Theme this Year---from Habakkuk 2:14, "Praying God's Glory Across The Earth"

Take time to pray today---specifically for our Nation and its Leaders---these are trying and testing times.

First Timothy 2: 1, 2: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and for all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

From Dr. Kent Hughes: "Their prayers were to be expansive---"for all people"---including kings and all those in high positions. Why the mention of kings and rulers? So that their rule might create a peaceful context conducive to these believers living "godly and dignified" lives, thus preparing the unbelieving world to hear the claims of the gospel. Clearly, expansive prayer and personal godliness are integral to sound preaching of the gospel."

Some guidance from Matthew Henry in praying for Public Servants throughout our Land---his prayer:

Counsel our policymakers. Teach our governors wisdom. Give them an abundant share of the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge that belong to Christ our sovereign Messiah. Make them quick to demonstrate that they understand the importance of fearing the Lord. Do not silence the lips of trust worthy advisors. Do not take away the discernment of the aged. In this day and age, do not let the things that could bring peace to your people be hid from our eyes. Make it clear that you stand in the assembly of the politically powerful, that you judge the judges. Let the leaders of the nations recognize that they live under the sovereignty of the God of Abraham. Let the flags of the world's nations symbolize that they acknowledge your rule, so that you may be greatly exalted.

Matthew Henry praying ---for magistrates, judges, supreme court justices:

Direct those that preside judicially over us to make just decisions, ruling in the fear of God. Let them always remember that they judge not for man but for you, the God who presides over them in their judgments. Let the fear of the Lord continually rest on them. Appoint as our judges people who are capable of handling their responsibilities well. Make them incorruptible men of truth, fearing God and despising bribery. Let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream that never stops flowing. Empower our magistrates to retain their integrity. Enable them to defend the widow and fatherless, do justice for the afflicted and needy, and deliver the poor and helpless out of the hands of wicked men. Let our rulers never be a terror to those who do good works but always to those who do evil.

Matthew Henry---praying for ourselves:

I pray that we may thirst for you and long for you in this dry and thirsty land, that we may see your power and your glory---just as we have seen you in the sanctuary. Your lovingkindness is better than life. Our souls will be satisfied, and we will praise you with joyful lips.

We put out trust in you, O God. Never let us be ashamed. Truly our souls wait on you, the source of our salvation. You alone are our rock and our salvation. We find in you our glory, our strength, and our refuge. In you, our expectation.

When refuge fails, and no one cares for our souls, we cry to you. You are our refuge, and our portion in the land of the living. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

We will trust in your mercy, O God, forever and ever. We will wait on you. We have hoped in your word; remember your word to your servants. Amen.

From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence,

Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense;

Thy true religion in our hearts increase,

Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

Daniel Crane Roberts (1841--1907)

Grace and Peace in Jesus our LORD, Pastor Jason