Rev. Rick Jones, Chaplain, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, not only ministers to our children, but to all 500 Ranch staff. He emails a daily staff devotion with the purpose of lifting us up, acknowledging the difficulty of our work, and reminding us of the Ranch's Gospel-focused care philosophy. Today's devotion seemed appropriate to share, as we all celebrate the National Day of Prayer.
By Rev. Rick Jones
Chaplain, Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22)
Today is the National Day of Prayer. This is a day set aside to honor a power higher than ourselves by turning to God in prayer. The intent of the National Day of Pray is to lift up our nation and leaders in prayer. We use today to ask for God’s direction, wisdom, and guidance. We turn to God and ask for faithful leaders and authorities that are devoted to providing the best care, service, and support for the people of our nation. To help you on this national celebration and call to prayer, I have listed a number of scripture passages about prayer and have included a prayer for our nation. I hope you will take the opportunity today to find comfort and strength through prayer.
Psalm 88
1 Lord, you are the God who saves me;
day and night I cry out to you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.
Romans 8:26
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Joel 2:32
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the Lord has said,
even among the survivors
whom the Lord calls.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
Prayer:
Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember your generosity and constantly do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in you fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
(Prayer borrowed from Lutheran Service Book, page 313.)