Basics for Better Impact—Part 5:  

The Importance of Prayer

“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. 

 1 Timothy 2;1,2 (NIV)

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; Prayer IS the greater work”

Oswald Chambers

Calling the Nation to Prayer

Here are some Christian organizations that can help you better intercede for our nation and its leaders. 

The Presidential Prayer Team has an excellent web site that is updated weekly with five printed pages of quotes on prayer, Scriptures, and specific requests for the President and other leaders.  Join the team at www.presidentialprayerteam.org or call (800) 295-1235.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force (www.nationaldayofprayer.org) has produced a number of resources, including Adopt-A-Leader kits, CDs and prayer guides, to help you pray more effectively.   From their web site, you can link to a number of other prayer movement groups, such as the National Prayer Committee, Lighthouses of Prayer, and Campus Crusade’s Military Ministry. Their phone number is (800) 444-8828.

The Center for Christian Statesmanship (www.statesman.org), a division of Coral Ridge Ministries, produces a monthly printed guide and a daily online version that highlights specific Congressmen to lift up in prayer.  CCS’s phone number is (202) 547-3287.

How can one best remember to pray for the nation?   Do it at the same time every day!  Two organizations,  Faith 2 Action (www.f2a.org)  and the Center for Reclaiming America (www.reclaimamerica.org),  encourage you to join their national prayer forces. Sign up for a time for one or more days of the week at their web sites.  

Three Helpful Books

There are a number of books available at Christian bookstores or over the internet that can help you to pray more effectively for America.  

A Call to Prayer for a Nation at War is a new book that includes prayers for the military, for the nation, personal prayers, Scriptures, and thoughts and quotes  from history and today.  The book starts with excerpts from President Bush’s 2003 State of the Union Address. It ends with a 31-day devotional with writings from A.W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, and other great Christian leaders from the past. 

Pray for Our Nation is a good pocket-sized book that will help you to better intercede for our heritage and future.  The book is divided into four parts:  Prayers for the Leaders of Our Nation; Prayers for the Social Welfare of our Nation; Prayers for the Safety of Our Nation; and Prayers for the Spiritual Growth of Our Nation.  Specific prayers deal with topics such as the economy, schools, media, families of our military and national revival.

The Power of a Praying Nation by Stormie Omartian includes a chapter of prayers called “Twelve Ways to Pray for the Heart of Our Nation.”  It includes prayers for the President and his advisors, for all elected officials, for an end to crime and terrorism, for a strong economy, and for national unity.  Some caution is needed in reading this and other books by Omartian.  Her theology has been heavily influenced by the “word of faith” movement.  With these and all books that you read, follow the apostle Paul’s instruction to “Test everything. Hold on to good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)