7 Points of Prayer / 7 Days a Week

...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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

From the National Day of Prayer 2009 website...

Are you willing to commit to pray for our country seven days a week? Are you able to set aside time in your car, during your coffee break, or before bedtime? We want to challenge you make this prayer commitment.

7x7 involves praying for seven centers of power seven days a week: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family.

By remembering these specific prayer points, we can cover all Americans with God's power. Together, we will see positive change!

GOVERNMENT
Pray for our leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.

• I Kings 3:28
• I Timothy 2:1-2
• Exodus 18:21
• Proverbs 11:3
• Romans 13:1-2

Our Founding Fathers established a nearly foolproof system of government; its checks and balances are among the most noteworthy aspects of our republic. Our executive, legislative and judicial branches ­ when functioning as they were designed ­ champion our liberties and prevent our government from becoming tyrannical and oppressive. By and large, however, the American people are sadly uninformed about democratic principles and their role in safeguarding our freedoms. What's more, the clearly defined lines between the three branches of government are becoming blurred, and United States citizens are paying the price.

We must continue to pray that God protects our way of life, asking that He would install in office men and women who are committed to serving their constituents with integrity. And we must remain in prayer for our elections, beseeching God to prompt our fellow citizens to become involved in this process. Voting is both a duty and a privilege, and the outcomes of our political races are critical in determining the future course of our nation.

May God's hand of wisdom and guidance remain upon each segment of our society, and through His Spirit, may believers be inspired to "pray continually" (I Thessalonians 5:17). We are assured that the Almighty hears our petitions. As people from coast to coast lift their voices in prayer, repentance and humility, we simply cannot underestimate how the Lord will respond. Let us together come before His throne with these words on our lips and in our hearts, "God bless America!"

MILITARY
Pray for divine protection and guidance for our armed forces. Intercede for military chaplains and loved ones at home.

• II Chronicles 32:6-8
• Psalm 57:1
• Psalm 59:1
• Proverbs 2:8
• Psalm 5:11

In the wake of the September 11 attacks on our own soil, the American people have realized that the face of war is forever changed. No longer can we think of combat being fought solely on faraway shores. We must acknowledge that many of the United States' enemies are among us, even as others plot against us from afar.

With this sobering reality in mind, pray for the courageous troops who are actively serving our country each day ­ not only at bases around the world, but also here within our borders. Our soldiers daily place themselves in harm's way in order to defend the way of life we hold dear, and they desperately need our prayer support. Their families should be remembered as well. These individuals often make significant sacrifices as they endure long separations, frequent moves and other challenges inherent to military service.

As the heroic men and women in our armed services secure our liberty both at home and abroad, pray the Lord's protection will go before them. In addition, lift up the chaplains stationed around the world, along with the Christian servicemen who unofficially fulfill a role of spiritual leadership. Ask that these believers would faithfully represent Christ among their comrades-in-arms.

Please don't forget to pray also for those who have lost a loved one in battle. These grieving families have paid the ultimate price, and we must ask that God's comfort would be upon them in a special way.

Finally, pray that our media's accounts of U.S. military actions are relayed fairly and impartially. Our troops are deserving of their fellow Americans' gratitude and respect, and accurate reporting can play an important role in rallying the American people around our brave servicemen.

MEDIA
Pray for truth and morality to be presented.

• Proverbs 12:9-22
• Ephesians 4:29
• Philippians 4:8
• Matthew 12:36-37

The media is unquestionably one of the most powerful and influential voices in our culture. Journalism used to be a simple matter of reporting the facts and, where there was controversy, presenting both sides of the story. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. From the top national networks to local newspapers, we are faced with the challenge of sorting through commentary and conjecture in order to get to the truth.

Meanwhile, throughout the entertainment industry, the heroes of pop culture model vices such as materialism, promiscuity, substance abuse, and violence. Professional athletes, once some of our nation's most revered and reliable role models, now watch many of their fellow players regularly fall into public disgrace.

Those of us determined to be discerning are constantly faced with the task of wading through the media's often biased and immoral offerings to find wholesome and acceptable alternatives for ourselves and our families. Specifically, we need to recognize and reject the errant messages of popular culture that run counter to the Judeo-Christian system of values.

We encourage you to make our nation's journalists a subject of prayer. Ask the Lord to provide the television, radio and print mediums with staff members and executives who are committed to accuracy and integrity.

We must also remember to intercede on behalf of the actors, musicians and athletes our young people seek to emulate. Pray that more of Hollywood's celebrities will be worthy of our respect and admiration. And as you watch your favorite sport, ask the Lord to strengthen and embolden any Christians on the team or coaching staff. Nothing is too difficult for God ­ and though the industry often seems unprincipled, we know the Lord is able to use the media to accomplish His purposes.

BUSINESS
Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors in the workplace.

• Matthew 5:14-16
• Galatians 6:9
• Proverbs 29:2
• Exodus 31:3-5

Today's business leaders hold a great deal of sway in our society. America has long celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit of men and women who have launched innovative and successful companies. In generations past, honest and generous CEOs were rewarded with loyal employees, customers and clients. In recent years, however, greater numbers of large corporations are becoming characterized by deception, greed, and even fraudulent activity.

In this climate, executives with strong ethics are especially deserving of our recognition and patronage. A great way to encourage such business leaders is to support Marketplace Chaplains USA, a group that positions chaplains in companies across the country. Also, continue praying that God will provide corporate America with business leaders who are committed to conducting themselves honorably.

EDUCATION
Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.

• Deuteronomy 11:18-19
• Psalm 34:7
• Matthew 19:14
• Psalm 90:16-17

The goals, content and approach of modern-day education have changed dramatically from the schooling children received when our nation was first conceived. Formal, public education was just taking shape at that time as the newly formed government took responsibility for helping parents with this aspect of their children's upbringing. With the 1635 founding of America's first public school, the Boston Latin School, biblical faith was unapologetically woven into classroom teaching. Many teachers were local pastors, and a reverence for the Almighty and His precepts was viewed as an integral part of true knowledge.

Today's schools are a far cry from those early classrooms. The influence of postmodern thought has left its mark on twenty-first-century education, introducing concepts such as pluralism, "tolerance," and the rejection of absolute truth. While the textbooks used in colonial days promoted a faith-based worldview, today's curricula are replete with materials that accept ­ and, in some cases, even condone ­ immoral activities and lifestyles. Meanwhile, revisionist teachings about our country's founding remove any reference to the Christian underpinnings that have long set our nation apart and helped it thrive.

With this type of atmosphere pervading our classrooms, it's especially critical that we pray for our nation's public school teachers, administrators and students. Ask the Lord to raise up a new generation of dedicated educators who will commit themselves not only to an honest, accurate presentation of all subject matter, but who will also serve as positive role models for their students. In addition, let's not forget to uphold our local school boards in prayer as they make decisions about the various curricula that are used across the country.

CHURCH
Pray for unity and boldness in proclaiming God's Word.

• Matthew 16:18-19
• Ephesians 4:3-6
• II Thessalonians 1:4
• Acts 16:15

While we often associate the word "church" with our locale of worship, Scripture takes a much broader view. The Church, ultimately, refers to the body of Christian believers around the world. The Lord is passionate for His Church, His bride. From the dawn of time, God's purposes have centered around revealing His glory through His people ­ and securing our eternity with Him.

As those who guide and disciple the Church, today's pastors and other Christian leaders face a vast and unprecedented array of pressures. While God has blessed His people with many godly ministers, these shepherds need our prayer support. As they strive to remain obedient to Christ, ask the Lord to provide them with strength and avenues of accountability so that they may maintain steadfastness in their vital callings. Down through the ages Christians have grieved over the tragedy of pastors who have succumbed to moral failure. Such circumstances seem all too frequent in our day and age. Pastoral families experience many unique stresses, too, and they can be overlooked even though their support role is crucial. Intercede for them, also, as they seek to faithfully come alongside their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the Christian community as a whole must struggle to be faithful amidst an "unbelieving and perverse generation" (Matthew 17:17). Our culture is rife with ideologies and activities that run contrary to biblical precepts, and believers must be increasingly "counter-cultural" in order to stay faithful to their convictions. Clearly, the Body of Christ needs intercession as never before.

Pray for the Lord to spark a revival throughout our nation, protect the witness of our pastors, and continue to sanctify and purify Christians around the world. We know that the spiritual condition of homes, communities and countries often points back to the believers within those regions. That being the case, it's all the more important that we strive after righteousness, corporately as well as individually.

FAMILY
Pray that families will follow godly principles.

• Joshua 24:15
• Psalm 127:3-5
• Ephesians 5:21
• Mark 3:25
• Proverbs 22:6

No institution in the culture is facing more intense persecution than the family. Not only are the incidences of divorce, infidelity and abuse on the rise, but social engineers are relentless in their efforts to dismantle the traditional family.

It's crucial that we pray for this vital and foundational unit of society. God's Word makes it clear that families play a central role in disseminating the tenets of our faith to the next generation. Loving homes model virtues such as sacrifice, patience and unconditional love to a watching world, and committed marriages exemplify Christ's devotion to His Church. Indeed, the family holds a special place in God's heart.

Please pray for the family to be preserved as the Lord intended ­ the marital union of one man and one woman devoted to each other and to raising the children in their home to be responsible, caring adults. Also keep in mind our elected leaders and the members of our judicial system as they consider proposed legislation and various court cases related to marriage and the family. This is one of the most crucial matters facing our nation, and it's imperative that God's people remain diligent in intercession for these concerns.