Today is the National Day of Prayer. Usually the President of the United States issues a proclamation declaring a National Day of Prayer. Frankly, I never paid much attention to this day because I don’t need some government official to tell me to pray. St. Paul did that for Christians when he wrote: “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Nevertheless, I was impressed by former President Obama’s proclamation last year.

“For many of us, prayer is an important expression of faith—an essential act of worship and a daily discipline that allows reflection, provides guidance, and offers solace. Through prayer we find the strength to do God’s work: to feed the hungry, care for the poor, comfort the afflicted, and make peace where there is strife. In times of uncertainty or tragedy, Americans offer humble supplications for comfort for those who mourn, for healing for those who are sick, and for protection for those who are in harm’s way. When we pray, we are reminded that we are not alone—our hope is a common hope, our pain is shared, and we are all children of God.”

That’s a good summary of prayer. It captures the fact that prayer is an act of worship, it recognizes the daily discipline required for prayer, it acknowledges that prayer brings benefits to the one who prays, and it emphasized that prayer directs us toward the needs of others.

I encourage people to pray today and every day. If we lose the connection to God in prayer, we will be the most miserable of people.

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:15-28 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5%3A15-28&version=NRSV