Thankful Thursday

Today is the National Day of Prayer.

In 1952, President Harry S. Truman declared a National Day of Prayer and signed into law the annual observance of the event.  In 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated the first Thursday of May for the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer.  According to law, the day is one "on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation in churches, in groups, and as individuals."  (Pub. L. 105-225, August 12, 1988, 112 Stat. 1258)

As I was driving today, I heard a brief sound bite from the chaplain of the Senate, Chaplain Barry Black.  I'm not sure if he was speaking from the National Day of Prayer activities in Washington, D.C. or if his comments were part of a taped address from another time.  One of the things that Chaplain Black said will definitely stay with me.  He said that it is possible to live out the injunction of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray without ceasing."

I have always struggled with that particular verse.  How is it possible to pray without ceasing?  Maybe I should say -- how is it possible to pray without ceasing and manage to accomplish anything else?  I know that it is important to have an attitude of prayer, to look for opportunities to praise God, and that's pretty much what Chaplain Black said.

As someone who came to a realization of the importance and power of prayer somewhat late in life and has felt totally inadequate in situations where I've been called on to pray out loud in front of others, I loved that Chaplain Black stressed that prayer did not have to be a long, eloquent "religious" speech to God.  In fact he said that some of the most heartfelt prayers were brief and to the point -- God bless America; Lord heal our land; help me Lord; and so on.

I love the beautifully phrased prayers of pastors and others who are totally at ease with public prayer, but I also appreciate the brief, honest, and emotion-filled petitions of someone who is clinging to the promises of Philippians 4:6 with all her heart -- "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done."

I am thankful that my God gives me the privilege of coming before Him in prayer.

I am thankful that the Lord hears me when I pray, whenever I pray.  I remember my mother-in-law telling me about a Shinto temple that she visited in Japan.  She was particularly taken with the bell that the temple visitors would ring before they prayed.  Her tour guide explained that it was necessary to ring the bell in case the god was sleeping.  The bell would wake him up so that he would hear the prayer.

I don't have to ring a bell or hit a gong in order for the Lord to be alerted to my prayers.  He is always waiting for me to reach out to Him!  He delights in hearing my cares and concerns and He also is greatly pleased when I lift my voice in thanksgiving to Him for all that He has done.  I don't have to worry that my prayers are too simple or inarticulate for Him to understand because He has graciously provided the Holy Spirit, who is able to perfectly present my prayers before Him.

Most importantly, I am able to approach the throne of grace because Jesus has gone before me.  He has paid the price for my sin and He intercedes on my behalf with the Father.  When God looks on me, He doesn't see my sin which separates me from a holy God; He sees instead the righteousness of His Son who washed me clean with His blood.

God's perfect plan has made a way for me to come before Him in prayer until that longed for time when I will see Him face to face!