Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer. Several municipalities in Marion County will hold observances where individuals can join together and pray. I’ll be at one of those gatherings, God willing.
We are blessed to live in a country where we can join together and pray. At some of these sessions, singers will share beautiful worship songs, ministers may speak, and others will convey the history of the National Day of Prayer and this year’s theme.
“Pour out to the God of hope and be filled” is the theme for 2025. The associated verse is “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit,” from Romans 15:13.
This year, I’m seeing several mentions on hope. Hope is one of my very favorite words. I’ve clung to hope for at least a decade now. Losing my mom was devastating. And after I lost my father, too, I was so crushed in spirit, all I could do was focus on “hope.” Just repeating that word, making it my mantra, gave me strength enough to continue.
Years passed. And, of course, I still miss my parents. But I know where they are and where I’ll be one fine day, joining them, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and all those we’ve loved and lost here who are now in Heaven.
The older I get, the more friends and family I have above. That’s something my own mom warned me about years ago. She said her life changed after she lost most of her best friends.
I can truthfully say I have more friends and family in Heaven than I do down here on earth. But I’m not sad about that. I’m happy for them. They all deserve their reward and peace. I know God has my ticket, Jesus is preparing a place for me and the Holy Spirit will guide me home.
One of the things I like best about National Day of Prayer observances, besides all the great singing, preaching and speaking, is the fact so many different categories are mentioned for prayer requests.
Being a journalist, I certainly appreciate anyone praying for the media. There are lots of guided prayers on nationaldayofprayer.org. I’m going to share here a few excerpts from some of the categories, and I invite you to discover more about any category that speaks to your heart. Each category includes “Why to pray, how to pray and what to pray.”
Whether I see you tomorrow at a gathering, or whether you attend another event, or even if you pray by yourself or in a small group, I pray your own prayers are blessed, as well as you and your family.
Media
Regarding media, organizers note, “God demonstrated the ultimate creativity when He created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is within it. The creatives who make up the arts, entertainment and media sphere need our prayers to honor the God-given creative gifts and steward them to bless our culture.”
Verses mentioned in the media category include:
• Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8 ESV.
• Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. — 2 Timothy 2:15 NASB.
Families
Organizers wrote, “The family is the first place we learn about God and create expectations for how to form relationships. Healthy families provide a strong foundation for children to grow into mature adults and model the love of Christ by sacrificially serving one another.
“When the foundation of family is shaken through tragedy, trauma or broken trust, the foundation for life is shaken right along with it. Divorces, work/life imbalance and lack of loving support can profoundly shape the rest of a person’s life, even if the painful event occurred decades prior.”
Verses mentioned on families include:
• Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life. — Proverbs 19:20 HCSB.
• And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. — Ephesians 4:32 HCSB.
Military
Regarding the military, organizers wrote, “In the Old Testament, we see God leading the Israelites through battles into the promised land. God not only gave His chosen people deliverance in these historical events: He revealed aspects of His character that we praise and put our trust in, even today.
“The armed services can provide a sense of purpose and structure, as well as opportunities in growing career fields. However, job stress and the unique culture of the military can also foster an environment that increases the likelihood of substance abuse and can place a great strain on marriage and family life.”
Verses relating to the military include:
• For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 ESV.
• Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. — Joshua 1:9 HCSB.
Business & the
workplace
Organizers shared, “Since the beginning of time, divisions of labor and trade of goods and services has been a consistent occupation for people across every era and time period.”
They note there is no exclusive job title necessary to be used by God.
“It is a JOY, not a JOB, to be obedient to God to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, love our neighbor as ourselves, and go into all the world and make disciples. (Matthew 22:37 and Matthew 28:19-20).
“...Both our place of work and our heart’s position at work need to reflect our dignity and obedience to God. A God-honoring business can be a great benefit to employees and the community, and a person who honors God in each task through the day speaks a testimony of faith.”
Verses relating to work include:
• Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. —Colossians 3:17 NASB.
• Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. — Proverbs 31:31 HCSB.
Churches
Regarding churches, organizers explained, “Jesus established the church to continue the work He had begun on Earth. Christ’s ministry established a lifestyle of caring for needs, praying in relationship with the Father and sharing the Gospel message of salvation.
“A healthy church is a powerful tool God uses to bring people into salvation and a community that continues to spurn one another on in the faith.”
Verses in the churches category include:
• And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 ESV.
• Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. — Hebrews 13:3 NIV.
Education
Concerning education, the website reads, “Education is not just about memorizing a series of facts—it is growing in knowledge about the world, learning beneficial interactions with others and applying these things to live in the calling of Christ.
“Parents and caretakers need wisdom from the Lord to make the right choice for their children to receive education that aligns with the truth of scripture and helps them fulfill the plans the Lord has for them. Students need to know they were created by God with value and that their Creator has a purpose for them. Instructors need endurance to faithfully teach pupils in God-honoring lessons.”
Verses on education include:
• Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. — Proverbs 22:6 NIV.
• And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. —Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV.
Government
Organizers noted, “Scripture calls believers to pray for those in authority, regardless of political party or allegiance.
“The book of Mark records the now famous words that Jesus uttered ‘Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, render unto God what is God’s’ to show that government has a use, but it is not our savior and cannot compete with our allegiance to Christ Jesus.”
Verses regarding government include:
• Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. — 1 Peter 2:16-17 ESV.
• First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. — 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NASB.
I’m not sure if you’ve found any of these excerpts or verses helpful, but I hope so. And since we started this column speaking about hope, I think we’ll end it at the same wonderful place. Besides salvation, grace, blessings, peace and joy, hope is a wonderful gift from our Good Lord.
If you need more hope, you can search out a verse in the Bible every single day focusing on hope for an entire month. (I’ve done this!) Of course, there are more verses about hope than there are days of the month, so you can continue your journey even longer.
Thank you for reading. To God Be The Glory!
See complete story in the Journal Record.
Subscribe now!