Dear Church,
This past Sunday I announced to the congregation my heartfelt desire that we (the parkwayhills church) commit to make this years National Day of Prayer – not just a political event – but an actual day in which we stop to pray for our nation and our nation’s leaders.
Now I do not have to tell you that the prayer from 2 Chronicles 7, oft quoted on this occasion, is not intended as a prayer for the US as some form of replacement theology positioning America as the new Israel. The answer to that is, of course, no. This view is a faulted hermeneutic, and we have talked about this. But, the prayer of Chronicles was, and should still be, understood as a message to the people of God about the importance of our own repentance and God’s ability to do what He will, when He will and as He will – through us – as we humble ourselves before Him. This said, we should always pray for such among God’s people.
Beyond this, however, is a clear Biblical call that we, as God's church and Christ's followers, be faithful to recognize His authority and Kingdom plan over all creation, and that we remain faithful to pray for and bear witness to our fellow citizens and leaders - first to sense and then to follow His lead. Why wouldn’t we pray for this?
So… let me encourage you to pray - not only tomorrow but on everyday thereafter. For If ever exists a time when such is needed from God’s people, it is now!
The following link will is shared as a help to you. http://www.wnyprays.org/prayer-guides/
Now I do not have to tell you that the prayer from 2 Chronicles 7, oft quoted on this occasion, is not intended as a prayer for the US as some form of replacement theology positioning America as the new Israel. The answer to that is, of course, no. This view is a faulted hermeneutic, and we have talked about this. But, the prayer of Chronicles was, and should still be, understood as a message to the people of God about the importance of our own repentance and God’s ability to do what He will, when He will and as He will – through us – as we humble ourselves before Him. This said, we should always pray for such among God’s people.
Beyond this, however, is a clear Biblical call that we, as God's church and Christ's followers, be faithful to recognize His authority and Kingdom plan over all creation, and that we remain faithful to pray for and bear witness to our fellow citizens and leaders - first to sense and then to follow His lead. Why wouldn’t we pray for this?
So… let me encourage you to pray - not only tomorrow but on everyday thereafter. For If ever exists a time when such is needed from God’s people, it is now!
The following link will is shared as a help to you. http://www.wnyprays.org/prayer-guides/
Blessings,
Pastor Sam
