July 4, 2018 - PRAY FOR AMERICA

Day 185 - (Today’s Bible readings: Numbers 11:1-15; Psalm 4; 1 Corinthians 12:11-21)

 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! (Psalm 4:1  ESV)

The event that we Americans celebrate today took place 242 years ago, on July 4th, 1776. The Declaration of Independence is based on this framework:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Much has happened since that historic day, much good and much not so good. The first verse of Psalm 4 is a clear invitation to call on the Creator to graciously hear our prayers. In 2 Chronicles God specifically invites us to pray for our nation (all nations actually) with His promise to forgive and heal.

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

On this national celebration of our liberties, may we remember the One who has given us the ultimate liberty in Christ our Savior, and the One who promises to hear our prayer.

1. God bless our native land;
Firm may she ever stand
Through storm and night.
When the wild tempests rave,
Ruler of wind and wave,
Do Thou our country save
By Thy great might.

2. So shall our prayers arise
To God above the skies;
On Him we wait.
Thou who art ever nigh,
Guarding with watchful eye,
To Thee aloud we cry:
God save the state!
(God Bless Our Native Land,  Lutheran Service Book #965)
In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!