National Day of Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Today is the National Day of Prayer. A day designated to be set aside for people to pray for . . . health, peace, prosperity, protection, rain, sunshine, etc., etc.

To whom are you praying? Do you even know? I hear the words "our prayers are with you" and "Thank God" and "God bless America" and I wonder if people even have a clue anymore just Who it is they are really invoking?

One of the commandments says "You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain." What does that really mean? Don't cuss? Sure, of course. Profanity is just an ignorant man's cover up for his lack of vocabulary. Don't use the name of God or Jesus as an expletive? That, too. But it means so much more.

A person who claims to be a Christian, and yet lives as if that means nothing, is taking the name of the Lord in vain. A person who invokes prayer only when it is convenient or publicly acceptable is taking the name of the Lord in vain.

Prayer is a unique privilege for those who have a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. It is the open line of communication to the Savior and Creator. The Holy Spirit is the conduit through which that communication is channeled. God hears the prayers of His children and the prayer of the sinner seeking to become His child. He does not hear the empty words of those He does not know.

I am grateful that we are still allowed to have a National Day of Prayer and that it is called that rather than some namby-pamby politically correct day of "contemplation" or "meditation" or "moment of silent reflection". Prayer is what it is. And in the hands, and hearts and mouths, of true believers, it is the most powerful tool available to anyone.

James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."