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Health & Fitness

Why Participate in the Day of Prayer

Bethel Bible Church Pastor Steve Worsham shares why he thinks you should participate in the National Day of Prayer today.

Thursday, May 5 is designated as the National Day of Prayer, but some might wonder why that’s the case.  It makes sense when we’re in some sort of national crisis that we might want to recognize some “higher power” than ourselves, but when things are relatively calm, why rock the boat?

Are things relatively calm?  The nation of Japan might disagree.  Or the folks picking up the pieces of their lives and burying loved ones in the southeast after the tornadoes could question your thought process. 

In fact any of us, if we sat down and evaluated our lives and the lives of those around us could possibly formulate some reasons as to why we should spend some time in prayer as a nation.

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While getting the news that our week old granddaughter will require surgery on Wednesday to close three holes in her heart was shocking news, the fact that she had to go in the hospital  for a seemingly benign jaundice problem caused them to do some unrelated testing that discovered this previously undetected heart issue early with a good prognosis. 

We’re thankful. 

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And the news of has raised a fair bit of patriotism again with chants of USA at sporting events, but has also caused many to look skyward, particularly those who have lost loved ones in the decade since 9-11.

There’s still unemployment isn’t there?  Few families have gone unscathed there.  Or crime,  or unsellable homes, or skyrocketing gas prices, or family unrest.  We come to realize that there’s little, on our own, we can control. 

We need help.

And there are still restless souls.  Souls that have sought fulfillment in fame, fortune, power, pleasure, even in relationships and have never quite been satisfied.  Souls that wrestle with past offenses, dirty little secrets, well, at least secret to the outside world.

Pray when you’re thankful.  Pray when you’re hurting.  Pray when you don’t know where else to turn.

The apostle Peter wrote, “…humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God and He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  I Peter 5:6-7.

So today, I’ll be praying for little Charlotte, for friends of mine who’ve recently lost loved ones, for people in our church who need jobs…and for you. 

Join me?

 

, 3235 W. 96th St., sanctuary open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. for prayer today.

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