I've heard the full moon invoked. Friday the 13th invoked. Partisanship, political power, and medical power invoked. I've heard the F---bomb invoked on a hot mic. Fear and anxiety, hoarding... are palpable.
But they hold no True power. It's Time to invoke the name of the Living God...
The National Day of Prayer has its roots in Boston 1768 when residents called a day of prayer and fasting when the British planned to station troops in the city. When their leaders failed them, they turned to prayer and the power of God and faith.
Throughout the Revolution, days of prayer were set aside by Congress for all the colonists to observe. General George Washington, as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army acknowledged a day of fasting and prayer. It was a one day cessation of all recreation, fighting, and unnecessary labor for his soldiers and the colonists to be held May 6, 1779.
These are once again historic times as a novel virus, COVID19 sweeps our globe in a pandemic of powerful impact we have never witnessed. Like an invasion of an unwelcome army, it has come to our shores, bringing a disruption of peace across our nation and the globe.
I cannot help but recall 2005 after Hurricane Katrina hit our southern shores with widespread destruction, and I participated in a rescue effort through Homeland Security on a medical team. We marveled at the impact of governmental "red tape" that paralyzed the early efforts. Yet each morning our team of National Guard, Indiana State Police, Epidemiologists, Psychiatrists, Pharmacists, Doctors, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Mental Health Counselors, and Pastors would gather on the tarmac of our camp in the parking lot of the Coliseum in Biloxi, MS--to pray. We witnessed daily large and small ways that God was not fettered by "red tape", fear, or loss.
I am reminded of that now. I invoke the name of the Living God, forgive of us of our personal and national sins. Have mercy on us. Release Your healing, release kindness, Peace, Light, Hope, release Your presence to comfort, release the tools that we desperately need--testing kits, proper masks, and channels through which Your power can be witnessed.
It's time. Bend your knee. Join in prayer.
If our Commander-in-Chief won't invoke a day of prayer, we must.
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 wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.
Psalm.60:2 You have shaken the land and torn it open. Heal its fractures, for it is quaking.
Lord, be the "power of my power" as in the ancient Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision", and encourage our hearts for the days ahead:
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to em, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sward for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my high Tow'r;
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Amen.
-------------
Blog post by Anne Love-
Writer of Historical Romance inspired by her family roots.Nurse Practitioner by day.Wife, mother, writer by night.Coffee drinker--any time.Find me at: www.anneloveauthor.com
Find me on:Facebook
