The Purpose is Prayer

This month, we will start the Prayer Nugget a little differently than before – with a short quiz.  Ready?  On the first Thursday of May in the United States, we observe the National Day of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________.  If you filled in the blank with “Prayer,” you answered correctly.  The bigger question, though, is whether prayer is the main event at our National Day of Prayer gatherings.

Having participated in a variety of events surrounding NDP for more than 20 years, it seems to have become a matter of hit-or-miss where praying is concerned.  In the early years after President Reagan signed this day of prayer into law, there was a simple grassroots movement called Meet at City Hall.  All who were interested were encouraged to gather on the steps of their City Hall at noon to pray for the community, state, and nation.  It was so simple and effective, with no bells and whistles to distract from the purpose of prayer.  The Presence of God was evident as believers from all walks of life and across the gamut of church names and worship styles took time out of their day to gather and pray in unity for this nation.  With no designated leader, all who came were given opportunity to pray as the Spirit led, so all knew they were an integral part of what God did in response to their prayer on behalf of the nation.

Psalm 133:1, 3 AMP  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! . . . for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].

Those early, simple gatherings, with their spontaneous prayer, gave way to more organized meetings – both at the noon hour and other times of the day.  Special speakers and singers have become the order of the day, with the prayer being offered by someone selected in advance, and the “audience” only having opportunity to listen to that prayer.  In addition, because of the time allotted to speakers and worship groups, less time remains for prayer on this National Day of ________.  Something is missing, and we must find it again before this forever becomes just one more religious exercise.

Because this day of prayer is another opportunity to pray for God’s plans and purposes for our nation, state, and community, let’s make sure prayer is not just our theme, but our action.  If we must have a formal agenda, make prayer the main event.  If there is time beyond that, we can add teaching, preaching, special music, etc.; but don’t work prayer in around those secondary things.  Though our government has made strides toward removing this freedom in various arenas, it still designates one day of the year for the purpose of prayer.  Let’s take full advantage of it and give God opportunity to move in our midst as we pray united in Christ this day!  After all, the purpose is prayer.

© Copyright 2010  Kay V. Stocking