National Day of Prayer, Columbus County Courthouse, NC (2016 05 05)

05 May 2016

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
COLUMBUS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, WHITEVILLE, NC 28472
Our Father,

We have come together today as a community, and as a nation, to acknowledge Your hand of sovereignty and superintendency over us.

As our founding father, George Washington said, "It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor", and so we have come together today, as do people across this country, to seek Your face.

I want to thank you, on this glorious afternoon, that Your heart is with those who serve in our armed forces.  Your Word tells us in John 15 that there is no greater love than that love which causes a man to lay down his life for his friends. We are grateful that you not only spoke such words, but lived them out in order that we might bear witness.

For our military personnel currently deployed, I ask that you comfort them with the words of Psalm 91. May they know that they can find refuge and safety beneath your wings and shelter in your arms in the midst of constant fear and terror.

For our military families here at home, may our communities be sanctuaries of healing and restoration for
them, where Your spirit is living and active in their lives. Gently remind them of those promises in Your Word which, among others, assure them that You will never leave them or forsake them.

May Your Spirit and presence rest upon our military leaders, Lord. They are ever in a state of need for wisdom and discernment as they make decisions in the darkest of circumstances, and we pray that they be drawn to You - the source of all wisdom, and the God who knows the beginning from the end - in these hours of need.

As Your hand is upon us, we pray that You would help us to trust You, knowing that You're good and that You care about Your people. Psalm 33 assures us that, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord", so we ask that as You continue to guide and lead us that You would help us to follow in faith.

In Christ's name we pray,
​
AMEN.