Christian Reflection and Prayer

“The Christian religion, then, is not an affair of
preaching, or prating, or ranting, but of taking
care of the bodies as well as the souls of people;
not an affair of belief and of faith and of professions,
but an affair of doing good, and especially to those
who are in want; not an affair of fire and brimstone,
but an affair of bacon and read, beer and a bed.”
William Cobbett quotes (Pseudonym Peter Porcupine,
English popular journalist, champion of traditional rural
England against the Industrial Revolution, 1763-1835)

“Faith makes a Christian. Life proves a Christian.
Trial confirms a Christian. Death crowns a Christian.”

Quote:
“The whole being of any Christian is faith and love.
Faith brings the man to God, love brings him to men.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546)

PRAY FOR OUR NEW PRESIDENT

Scripture:

1 Timothy 2

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests,
prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for everyone— 2for kings and
all those in authority, that we may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness.

President Barack Obama now steps up to lead
our nation into a historic new era. The challenges
and demands he will face are daunting at the
least and overwhelming at most. Yet, in his
Inaugural Address, he invoked the good will of
the American people and our willingness to
roll up our sleeves and work hard.

“Every so often,” the President said, “the oath
is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging
storms. At these moments, America has carried
on not simply because of the skill or vision of
those in high office, but because we, the people,
have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears
and true to our founding documents. So it has been.
So it must be with this generation of Americans.”

This is a time to pray! The new administration will
grapple with the challenges of a struggling economy,
active wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and energy and
environmental concerns—all unprecedented in this
generation. With I Timothy 2:1-2 as our biblical
mandate,pray for our new president’s wisdom,
protection and success as he faces these issues,
and many more, over the next four years.

Let us join together and uphold him as the Israelites
of old did for their leader Moses. Please, invite your
friends and family to pray for President Obama and
the new administration.
Your prayers will work powerfully in our nation.

Prayer:

King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Lord of life and
death, protect our nation in our crisis, and our
needs. Turn our hearts to You, and let us find
strength and encouragement in You and peace
of heart and mind through the cleansing power
of You, Jesus Christ. Throughout the nation let wise
counsel, calm thinking, unselfish aims prevail.
With singleness of purpose let one and all
support all just measures. In Jesus' name
Amen.

Day Seventy-Six: January 20, 2009

For God’s anointing to be on President Obama
and Vice President Biden and every member of
their administration as they step up to unite and
serve our nation But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear Him, and
His righteousness with their children's children—
with those who keep His covenant and remember
to obey His precepts.
—Psalm 103:17-18

O Awesome God, I exalt and praise You in
gratitude for the covenant You promise and
keep with those who love and honor You. All
praise and glory and honor to You, O God.
You are love and light, and there is no evil or
darkness in You! You show us the way You
want us to walk because of Your love and kindness.

As President Elect Obama and Vice President
Elect Biden are sworn into office, I ask Your great
blessing on both of them in humility and love. May
their hearts long and yearn for righteousness and
holiness. As they serve our nation, may they
understand that they are serving You and their
calling is from You and You alone. Keep them
humble; give them strength O holy and wonderful
God. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.