Today is a national holiday. It’s Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. Wonder why Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Had a Dream” speech was unforgettable? Prayer. Prayer was his daily source of courage and strength. Prayer gave him the ability to carry on even when he was unpopular in his efforts to bring society’s attention to dealing with all people as equals. According to the Library of Congress, “Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most important voice of the American civil rights movement, which worked for equal rights for all. He was most famous for using nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice.” Today, take time to thank God for Martin Luther King, Jr.’s influence and pray for our president, congress, governors, and all pastors in authority. Pray and have faith—God works through our prayers.
Is prayer a priority for you? If so, have you made the necessary adjustment to your schedule? None of us can manage our time; however, we can manage ourselves to accomplish what God asks us to do in the time He gives us. We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise me but as wise, making the most of your time for the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15–16
How does this happen? It takes focus, intention, and discipline. Through time in His word coupled with dialogue with God, we can learn and discern the plans God has for us. Jennifer Kennedy Dean said, “What God wants to do on the earth, He will do through intercessors. When God wants to change the course events will take on their own, He searches out an intercessor on whose heart He can place His desires.” Will you be the one? “Teach us, Lord, to number our days; that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
God is looking for people who will pray. God is searching for hearts willing to be consumed and do things His way—to pray first. These concerned hearts submerge themselves in caring about what God cares about—the person, circumstances, even when things are messy, for God’s glory. John 15:4 says, “Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me to pray. Thank you for your word that helps me pray as I use your word to give me words. Let it not return void. I pray for our president, his cabinet, the congress, state, and local government officials. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says, ‘I urge, then, first of all that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a complete knowledge of the truth.’ In Jesus’ name, amen.
(For more on Martin Luther King’s impact on our society, check out my blog at Transformed Through Truth.)
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