Hi Friends! I hope you’ve been having a fabulous week! I cannot believe that we’ve reached the end of June. Summer is flying by! In just a few days we’ll be celebrating the 4th of July. I doubt I’m to only one who feels like it’s difficult to celebrate our country’s independence when there is so much discord and general craziness happening. So the best thing I can think to do is just send up some prayers for America.
It really doesn’t matter what part of the political spectrum you land on, (because this post is most definitely NOT about politics, I don’t even want to go there) if you’re a Christian, I think we can all agree our country is in some major need of prayer.
Christians in America
As Christians we face a challenge living in a world that puts it’s hope in government and policies. It’s hard not to get caught up in wanting the government to reflect our beliefs and values. Who doesn’t want our president to advocate and work towards what they believe is right? It’s hard not to be disappointed when our government falls short of our expectations and hopes. When friends have differing opinions, it’s hard. And when we see injustice in our own country, it’s easy to point the finger.
But, Dear Christian Friend, let me remind you: our hope should not be in the things and people of this world. Our hope should be in God alone. Change doesn’t start with a new law, a new treaty or a new president. It doesn’t even happen with you and me.
How Change Happens
Change happens when we’re on our knees praying that God would change our hearts, give us opportunities to serve and show His compassion and love – and He does. Change happens when we delve into God’s word and ask for wisdom to understand what it means – and He gives it. It happens when we follow what God’s word says unwaveringly – and He blesses us for it. Change happens when we get up off our knees, with purpose and direction from God, and go out into the world in Jesus name – and He softens the hearts of those who hear. True change happens when God is the initiator.
When we try to initiate change on our own, or put our hope in politicians and policies to effect change, we are opting for a less-than version of change. We are trading one bad idea for another. Instead we need to humble ourselves and remember who is truly capable of knowing what should be happening in our world. When we trust that His plan is the best plan.
(Speaking of humility, here is a great devotional on the subject.)
I often have to remember, when I look a the state of our country and world, that God’s working on a bigger plan than I see or understand. His ways are not our ways. His plans don’t always look like ours, but we need to trust that He remains in control. In spite of the disarray of our world, He has a plan, and this is part of it. If Jesus can humble himself to God’s will, we must certainly do so as well. God’s will is much better than mine. Our trust in that truth, is so important.
It’s Time to Pray
Our country certainly needs prayer. The Bible tells us in James 5:16 that the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. Imagine what the prayers of a multitude of righteous are capable of. With this in mind I’ve come up with a 31 day prayer challenge that I encourage you participate in. You can access this in our freebie library by subscribing to our newsletter. Let’s join together in praying for America over the month of July.
31 Days of Prayer for America Guide/Challenge
Here’s a couple things to note about the prayer guide. This guide directs you to scripture each day. I think reading scripture is vital to prayer. Scripture sometimes can be read as prayers. Other times it directs us in how we can be praying. It’s a tool we most certainly need to make use of.
Each scripture on the guide is associated with a specific topic. Please don’t feel limited by these topics. If the scripture leads you to pray for something else, follow the leading. If you have another topic on your heart pray for it. This list is most definitely not all-inclusive (I mean we’ve only got 31 days to work with here), so pray as you feel led.
You can find some handy {Bible journaling, scrapbooking, creative planner} 4th of July printable cutout stickers in our shop to use in your prayer time, if you’re into that as well!
Lastly, please share your related prayers, bible journaling creations, and 4th of july celebrations with us in the comments or on social media: @faithheirlooms #faithheirlooms
*Note comments that are divisive, unkind or unhelpful will be deleted
