Repentance prayers can make a difference

National Day of Prayer is Thursday. Please be in prayer lifting up the needs of our nation. We must have a deep resolve. We do this with conviction looking the enemy in the eye saying, "You cannot have this country!"

Let us seek the Lord for the spiritual revival in our land. May we listen to God's call. It is a call to righteousness, to repentance and holiness. We respond by praying as a nation together. Especially Thursday please be in prayer. It is so easy to take everything for granted. Otherwise it can be eventually lost.

"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house" (Matthew 5:14-15, NCV).

Each one of us can light this nation. Prayer can change America. We serve a mighty God. He hears the cry of his people.

The importance of prayer cannot be emphasized enough. The destinies of our children and grandchildren are dependent upon the future.

Approaching God in humble repentance and seeking forgiveness is our only hope. We are encouraged by Jonah 3:10. "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them, the destruction he had threatened" (NIV).

Let your light shine. Stand for truth. Light our nation with flames of faith as we pray. Repentance prayers can and will make a difference.

The acronym "P.R.A.Y." gives the essential elements of prayer.

Please pray for America. Pray for the place that once stood honor, truth and respect for God.

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He is like a tree planted along a riverbank, with its roots reaching deep into the water … a tree not bothered by the heat nor worried by long months of drought.

Its leaves stay green and it goes right on producing all its luscious fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7-8 (TLB).

We have a privilege Thursday. Our nation is in serious trouble. The rampant rise of crime, the moral decay of society and the exclusion of God is leading America on a collision course. Jesus is our only hope.

Prayer is part of our national heritage. Please join millions of humble Americans and pray for our nation on Thursday.

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

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is:

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