National Day Of Prayer
JOIN US! We will have the opportunity to pray each hour from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on this day. Then, at 6:00 pm we are inviting all to come together for a time of corporate prayer as a church family!
2024 LIFT UP THE WORD - LIGHT UP THE WORLD
For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness.
For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.
This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true;
He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
2 Samuel 22:29-31
God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught unaware. Through prayer, we are able to tap into His wisdom, strength, protection, and peace. He stands ready to respond to our needs when we humbly ask for divine intervention in the affairs of men.
As we Pray for America whose pledge of allegiance recounts that we are “one nation under God,” and whose currency states that it is “in God we trust,” we want Americans to encounter the God who rules over their country. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the LORD God Almighty is His name.” —Amos 4:13 NIV
CHURCH
We praise You, our Salvation, Security, Rock, and Waymaker. As Your body, we lift up the Word and light up the Church in our prayers. We pray for the Church to:
Always worship and walk in the light of every precept, promise, and prophecy in the Word of God.
Faithfully teach and trust Your Word as the lamp to our feet and a light to our path. We know You are the Good Shepherd who guides and guards us on paths of righteousness for Your great name’s sake.
Stand strong and courageous against the attacks of the enemy and the agendas of culture that disrespect and disregard our God – and fight as Your light for all that is right and righteous.
Magnify and manifest the love and light that Jesus calls and equips us to be.
Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 23:3, Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:5-7
FAMILY
Heavenly Father, Creator of man and wife, parents and children, and Lord of our earthly and eternal Family, we acknowledge that we are Your children, created for relationship with You and one another. We lift up the Word and light up the lives of Families in our neighborhoods and nation as we pray for the Family to:
Consistently love and live in and under the authority of God.
Remain faithful in our covenant of marriage and raise up our families in the Word, way, and wisdom of God.
Embrace, rather than relegate, the blessings, opportunities, and responsibilities of spiritual development for ourselves and every member of our family.
Be a beacon of light in our communities, recognized not just for friendliness, but for our faith and fruitfulness.
Be diligent in making and being Your disciples through the Word of God and prayer.
Proverbs 3:11-12: "My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son He delights in." Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9, Proverbs 6:20-23
EDUCATION
Our Teacher, the Way, and the Truth, we are Your disciples and students. As You have taught us to pray, we lift up Your Word, lighting up Education in our prayers. We pray that:
You draw and fill every educator and student with Your Word, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
The mind of Christ would fill all people and places of education, pure and filled with that which is light and right in the sight of the Lord.
Students would receive genuine academic education, free from agendas, with minds filled with light, not darkness. That we would not call that which is evil ‘good’ and that which is good ‘evil’.
For students to be taught all that is necessary to prepare them for the plans and purposes You prepared uniquely for each of them.
Proverbs 2:6: "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Isaiah 5:20-21, Ephesians 5:11-12, Psalm 139:11-14
BUSINESS / WORKPLACE
Alpha and Omega, Author, Equipper, Sustainer, Provider; we are Your laborers, lifting up Your Word and lighting up Business and the Workplace through our prayers. We pray that:
You saturate our lives and livelihoods with righteous decisions and dealings.
We present ourselves faithfully obedient and diligent in all our thoughts, words, and deeds, aligning our actions with the commands and character You require.
Work does not become an idol; no position, project, or possession would take Your place in our life's pursuits and passions.
We work with excellence and diligence, not merely to see the good but to see Your glory in our labor.
you are honored in all we do, and that we do not become unequally yoked, fall prey to, or promote evil.
2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, John 14:12, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Proverbs 3:9
MILITARY
Almighty Authority, Shield, Strong Tower, and Strength, we lift up the Word and light up the Military, praying that:
Their lives are filled with unshakable courage and faithfulness in Christ; their strength and salvation.
Obedience and excellence shine in all that is commanded and required of them.
Their hearts and minds remain steadfast, free from fear of evil, remembering that the Lord is their Light as they defend freedom from darkness.
Families, finances, homes, and health are protected and prosper; every sacrifice made in serving God and country results in abundant blessings overflowing back to them.
They find confidence in the Lord who supplies the strength for battle and the wisdom that brings victory.
Psalm 27:1: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 119:98, 2 Samuel 22:40, Isaiah 42:13
FIRST RESPONDERS
Lord, please protect those in our community who serve as police, firefighters and paramedics. Those who respond first to very difficult situations. We remember them and pray that:
God You would guide them and help equip them mentally, physically and spiritually to confront the scenes and scenarios set before them.
I pray for strength and for Your guidance in troubling times and scenes.
Give them wisdom and discernment as they face every crisis. Pray for increased skill and effectiveness in their daily tasks of coming to the aid of others.
I ask for discernment on behalf of first responders, who frequently face complex situations and must make snap decisions.
Lord, have mercy on those who must wait, trust and hope every time a first responder goes into action. They are all too aware of the dangers their loved ones face.
Isaiah 41:13 “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
GOVERNMENT
Justice, Lawgiver, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,
Ancient of Days, we lift up the Word and light up local, state, and federal Government praying that:
There will be faithfulness, justice, and righteousness in every law established, practiced, and upheld.
Salvation, strength, and service would define every public servant, and they would operate with holy wisdom, humility, and integrity.
There would be no darkness nor deception in them; all they think, say, and do would be brought to and bathed in the light of the Lord.
Every employee would act with integrity serving the people of the city, county, district, and state recognizing this as a calling from God not a career, called to serve and not be served.
Their families would be shielded from harm, hate, and lies and their homes would be filled with love and light as God commands.
Psalm 2:10-11: "Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling."
Romans 13:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 , Psalm 119:101
ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA
Creator, Author of our Days, the Word, Potter who designs, defines, and delivers us; You bestow the skill and stir the heart to perform. We lift up the Word and light up Arts, Entertainment, and Media, praying that:
Everyone in these industries dedicates their lives to being a light, not seeking the spotlight. May their scripts be filled with the light of Scripture, not the deception of darkness.
Their reputation be filled with God’s glory and fame through His great name, not shame, nor as victims of gossip or greed.
All would stand in faith with fruitfulness, not fear, and speak truth, drawing others out of darkness into the everlasting hope and love of the Lord.
They would know their eternal heavenly value from the Lord and never compromise themselves or diminish their God-given worth for applause, awards, or any earthly accomplishment.
They would know Jesus as the Author of their days, the writer of their story and destiny, the source of their talents, and let Him direct their steps and produce fruit in their lives.
John 1:1-5: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." Exodus 36:2, Ephesians 5:6, Psalm 101:7
2024 NATIONAL PRAYER
Jesus, we profess our faith in You. You are the Light of the world, and in You there is no darkness. For you are our lamp, O LORD, and our God who lights our darkness. Forgive us for fearing and focusing on the darkness around us instead of being filled with faith and shining like the city on a hill You have called us to be. Forgive us for the times when we have been the absence of light, allowing darkness to dwell in America. Lead us forward to dispel the darkness and bring light throughout the Church, Family, Education, Business, Military, Government, and Arts, Entertainment, and Media.
We are saved by grace through faith, released from the darkness that once held us captive and now free to walk in the newness of life in You. Light dispels darkness and exposes what is hidden and wicked, so we commit to rise and shine! For by You, Lord, we can take courage to run against the enemy, and by our God we can fight the good fight and keep the faith as living lampstands in our communities and country. We fear no evil for You are with us.
Lord, Your way is perfect, You lead us on paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Your Word is Truth, instructing and inspiring us to live in the abundant life You gave when You saved us from the death and destruction of the enemy. Fill us with Truth as we read, study, and live Your Word.
God, You are a shield for all those who take refuge in You. As we abide in You and Your Word abides in us, we take up our shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and run boldly into the darkness to Lift Up the Word and Light Up the World! In the Mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen!
Prayer Event for PK-5th Grades
Feel free to bring your child(ren) with you during the HOURLY PRAYER EVENT during the day from 6a.m.-6:00p.m., but do plan to have them join in the POPCORN PRAYERS FOR KIDS event from 6-7 p.m. in the education building. We'll teach how to do "popcorn prayers" and even enjoy eating some real popcorn, too, as we lead PK-5th graders in their own prayer event. (See Regi or Rhonda with questions)