Beautiful Thoughts
From Decision Magazine ... January 2009 ... page 28
For Those in Authority
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Saviour. - I Timothy 2:1-3, NIV
O Almighty God ... turn, we pray, the hearts of all peoples and their rulers, that by the power of Your Holy Spirit peace may be established among the nations on the foundation of justice, righteousness and truth; through Him who was lifted up on the cross to draw all people to Himself, Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1) -- William Temple
Our Father and our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to you in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. ... This we pray in Your holy Name. Amen. (2) -- Billy Graham
We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. ... Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves ... to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness. (3) -- Abraham Lincoln
- Footnotes
- For "A prayer for Peace among Nations," by William Temple published 1941 in a supplement to "A Manual of Prayers for War-Time."
- From Billy Graham's prayer on the National Day of Prayer, May 3rd, 2001
- From Abraham Lincoln's proclamation appointing a National Fast Day, March 30, 1863.
From Descision Magazine ... January 2009 ... page 13
- What we see as a tragedy, God sees as a great oppurtunity. As the apparent security offered by comfort and consumption vanishes, people are more open to seeking for spiritual truth.
From Descision Magazine ... January 2009 ... page 7
- When things are down ... Look up. Economic crisis. Fear of the Future. Sickness. Loss of the loved one. No one is exempt from trouble. How can we find strength and peace in the midst of such challenges?
