…if My people who are called by My name will 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 is National Day of Prayer– a day set aside for a national observance of God’s sovereignty over our nation, whether it be his provision, judgment, blessing or protection.

Whether gathered together in groups, alone during quiet times, in Bible studies or even in worship services, multitudes will pray for our nation today. Many will pray for revival…many will pray for repentance…many will pray for mercy…many will pray specifically for leaders, certain policies and certainly our wayward culture…the list goes on and on

Our nation has seen times of great prosperity and times of tribulation. We have seen leaders, presidents, and cultural icons come and go. We have, as a nation, suffered tragedy and triumph. Through it all, two things have been constant.

The Lord has always been, and always will be, over every circumstance our nation faces.

And He hears our prayers.

While last year’s National Day of Prayer event in Washington, DC, was canceled due to COVID fears, this year’s national gathering has been canceled because the Capitol is now surrounded by fences with no public visitors allowed. It is an unmistakable bellwether of the direction our nation has taken in recent months.

And yet here is our great and hopeful truth:  no matter the fences, viruses, rulers, policies, laws, or mandates, none of them can stop prayer. Nothing can.

It was in January that Family Policy Alliance launched a new prayer initiative specifically focused on the direction of our nation and the policy challenges we saw coming.

As we looked around and saw cultural decay, political strife, radicalization of public policy, a disregard for truth, cancel culture, and a headlong dive into progressivism, we knew that initiating prayer was the right step. We called it Under God – One Nation, and many of you signed up to join us in those prayers.

Since then, we have been providing prayer updates on the issues we see affecting our nation and how we have been praying about them. Whether it is cultural change, the Biden-Harris Administration, Congress or legislative challenges in one state or another, there is no end to the things that we can be praying for, and we hope you will join us in prayer today (and every day).

Over the past few months, we have seen prayers answered with victories in a number of states. We also have ongoing prayer for things that we are trusting the Lord to work out, remembering that He hears our prayers and that our persistence is key.

Victories

• Pro-Life victories – Over 60 pro-life laws have been enacted in various states across the nation!
• Girls’ and Women’s Sports – Several states have enacted protections to safeguard girls’ sports from male participants.

Ongoing Prayer

• Preservation of the Hyde Amendment – this important provision keeps federal taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, and removing its protections is a major goal of some on the Left.
• Defeat of the Equality Act – The Equality Act is a dangerous piece of legislation that would defy science by redefining sex (male or female) throughout federal law.
• Protection of the unborn – Sadly, the Biden-Harris Administration has rolled back many pro-life rules and is promoting abortion at breakneck speed.
• Senate Filibuster – Currently the filibuster is the only thing keeping the Senate from passing many dangerous pieces of legislation. It hangs by a thread in the 50-50 Senate.

You can find more on our Under God – One Nation prayer initiative page where you can also sign up for a regular prayer time.

We hope you will join us.

This year marks 70 years since Reverend Billy Graham stood on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC, and called for Congress and the president to establish a day of prayer. In April of that year, President Truman signed the legislation into law.

We live in a different culture now, but we know that regardless of the political, cultural and policy changes that occur, God is still in control and nothing passes his notice…nothing.

Prayerfully,

Robert Noland
Communications Manager

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1 Timothy 2:1-3

On this National Day of Prayer, New Jerseyeans from across the theological spectrum and political aisle will dedicate a time of prayer. Democrats and Republicans will bow their heads – and some will even humble their hearts – to pray for the common good.

As we reflect and earnestly pray today for those in authority, let us remember what the Apostle Paul said was the end result of those specific prayers – a peaceful and quiet life. Is that even attainable in our current climate?

Our nation is inflamed with intentional polarization thereby making civility a rare commodity. Big tech profits from political antagonism, creating the preferred echo chamber that keeps people unchallenged in their ideology. Some politicians desperately, and at times, hypocritically, engage in un-statesman like public rhetoric to increase small donors and heighten their national profile. Big media cloaks reality in their conceived narrative to persuade the consumer and control their actions, rather than simply informing and educating them on the facts.

Those in authority have been given a unique platform by which to lead. Despite the best of intentions or the worst of objectives – their decisions, conduct, and priorities can make life challenging. In other words, whether you agree or disagree with their policies and positions on certain issues, you are urged to pray for them, because the failure to do so will impact your family. And above all, we pray because it pleases God.

Let me reassure you that we pray weekly for Governor Murphy and the state legislators in both political parties. I want to encourage you to do the same. Please do not forget that in the middle of policy disagreements, grassroots mobilization, and election activity, we have no enemies, only opportunities.

Hopefully, you can join other believers on this National Day of Prayer. We are also praying for you and all our ministry partners. If you ever have any prayer requests, please email newjersey@familypolicyalliance.com so we can lift you up before the Lord!

Protecting your family,

Shawn Hyland
Executive Director