“It’s Time to Pray, But Not When You Think”

Thursday, May 5th is the 2016 National Day of Prayer.  10’s of 1000’s of churches, religious groups, and individuals around our nation will gather for prayer that day.  Since 1777 most of our nations Presidents have had some emphasis on prayer.  But on April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each subsequent president at an appropriate date of his choice.  In 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended the law so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May.

I have been receiving emails from Raleigh area churches and organizations about prayer gatherings all around our city on May 5th.  This is great.  I’m glad this is happening.  I’m glad there is a National Day of Prayer.  There have been non-religious groups that have tried to stop this saying the government cannot proclaim a National Day of Prayer, but up to this point to no avail.  I’m certainly in support of it.

BUT

Here is the conflict for me as a Christian.  Shouldn’t we be emphasizing a prayer life everyday?  I heard someone say a few years ago when I was a pastor of another church in another city as the National Day of Prayer was being organized in that city, “Oh, my day of prayer is fast approaching.  I need to decide what to pray about on that day.”  Really?  Are you saying in someway that you pray one day a year?  You focus your prayer life on one day?  Really?  By the way, this person was a prominent person in the Christian community of that city.

I love the National Day of Prayer.  I’ve participated in gatherings in cities where I’ve have been a pastor.  Please hear me.  I’m not against this day.  But I am for more than this.  It’s time to pray, but not when you think.  I am for prayer everyday!  A Christian that does not have a regular daily prayer time is missing out on a part of the relationship God has called them to as His child.  Think of it this way.  You live with your mom and/or dad in their house everyday.  You have a relationship with them.  You love them and even see them everyday, but NEVER talk to them.  You never speak a single word to them.  What’s up with that?  How does that happen?  How does that relationship work?  I will guarantee that if you do not speak to one another, over time, your relationship will deteriorate to nothing.

It is no different in our relationship with God.  He talks with us through His Holy Spirit.  As His children, shouldn’t we daily, even multiple times a day, speak to Him?  Here are just a few passages from His Word.

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  James 5:16

And Jesus said, “It is written, ‘And My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a robbers den’” Luke 19:46

The gospel accounts of Jesus’ life consistently tell us that Jesus, each day, would retire to pray to His Father in heaven.  He has set the example.  We are to follow.

It is great to gather on the first Thursday in May as a nation and pray.  But please remember, PRAYER has to be a regular part of your every day life.  EVERY DAY! Not just one day!  And if you do, Oh my goodness, you will see your relationship with your Father in heaven taken to another level.  “Pray without ceasing…” is the call.  So my question: How’s your prayer life going?

Blessings my friends,
Pastor Marty

Worship, Grow, Serve