National Prayer

King Asa received a sobering reminder from the prophet Azariah. He reminded the king that God was “with you while you are with him.” But Asa could determine the outcome: “If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

Asa was reminded that Israel had been “without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law.” As a result, there had been turmoil. The land was filled with “great disturbances” and there was “no peace.”

But everything changed when they turned to the Lord. When they “sought him, he was found by them.” Azariah encouraged Asa to “take courage” and continue the work of turning the heart of the people toward God.

Encouraged by these words, Asa “put away the detestable idols” from the land, and “repaired the altar of the Lord.” He gathered the nation together for a time of sacrifice and prayer.

The people rejoiced to see their king strongly urging them to return to God. They joined together swearing an oath. And God answered their prayers, and “gave them rest all around.”

The Bible reminds us of the importance of prayer for our nation. This particularly is true on this day, declared the National Day of Prayer in United States. This is a day to remember the Bible’s command to pray for “all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

Remember God’s promise that “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).

Today, pray for your country. Pray for its leaders. Pray for a move of God’s Spirit.