National Day of Prayer..for what?

The National Day of Prayer was just last week and according to their website their vision and values are to:

Protect America’s Constitutional Freedoms to gather, worship, pray and speak freely.

Publicize and preserve America’s Christian heritage

Encourage and emphasize prayer, regardless of current issues and positions

Respect all people, regardless of denomination or creed

Be wise stewards of God’s resources and provision

Glorify the Lord in word and deed


I found this to be both intriguing and deeply disturbing. This 'US' centric rhetoric communicates a deeply entrenched self-protective mentality that is embedded in the DNA of the church in America.

I love prayer, I believe in prayer, and I believe strongly that we need to pray more frequently, more passionately, but more globally.

John Piper says; "We've taken this wartime walkie-talkie and turned it into a domestic intercom to call up the butler to bring us another pillow." This quote really does state a 'keep me safe within the walls of America' ethos, and unfortunately it reflects the mission and vision statement of the National Day of Prayer.

I love the model that Jesus gave us in His prayer, and it really isn't about the US, but about the nations...look at this.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed (glorified, known, adored) be Your name.

The immediate focus of His prayer is on His Father being known and glorified by all peoples..read on.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..

• Neh. 9: 5b-6 says: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Is there any doubt that when Jesus says, 'Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven' that He is calling for worship by all peoples of the earth?
Right now the multitudes of heaven are worshiping our God, and Jesus starts out His model prayer crying out for that to happen on earth, just like it is in heaven.

The rest of the prayer goes into the areas of our life that keep that from happening, greed, lust, fear, etc.

So, for this year's National Day of Prayer...let's move beyond our borders and dare to cry out to our God that whatever it takes, make His name known and worshiped above all by all nations.
We have the amazing blessing and honor of joining our hearts with His to engage in the global battle for the fame of His name, let's take it on!