Prayer – Page 8 – Family Council

Please Join Us for the Pastor’s Prayer Assembly Next Week

Feb 21, 2014JerryLegislatureArkansas Legislature, Legislature, Prayer

Several years ago a state lawmaker told me that his rides home from Little Rock on the weekends were always a little depressing; he would pass his neighbors’ houses on his way into town, and he would reflect on how the votes he cast and the things he stood for that week hadn’t always reflected how the folks back home would have wanted him to act. How sad a situation. Encouragement, especially for a politician, can be difficult to give at times. However, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy to pray “for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim 2:2).

That is why we are cordially inviting ministers across the state of Arkansas to join us in worship at the Capitol Building Thursday, February 27, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and also on Wednesday, March 5, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for the Pastors Prayer Breakfast Assembly. We will start both days with breakfast in the Capitol Cafeteria (“Big Room”) located in the lower level of the Capitol Building, and then we will make our way upstairs for a short tour and assemble to pray for all of our 135 legislators and 7 constitutional officers. Optional activities are available afterwards.

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Words From Our Founders: Congressional Prayer Proclamation, 1778

Nov 6, 2013JerryWords From Our FoundersPrayer, Words From Our Founders

Today we continue our series examining our Founding Fathers in their own words and considering their high esteem for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

Below is proclamation of prayer and fasting authorized by the Continental Congress on March 7, 1778–during the American Revolution.

From the Journals of the Continental Congress:

Whereas, Almighty God, in the righteous dispensation of his providence, hath permitted the continuation of a cruel and desolating war in our land; and it being at all times the duty of a people to acknowledge God in all his ways, and more especially to humble themselves before him when evident tokens of his displeasure are manifested; to acknowledge his righteous government; confess, and forsake their evil ways; and implore his mercy:

Resolved, That it be recommended to the United States of America to set apart Wednesday, the 22d day of April next, to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer; that at one time, and with one voice, the inhabitants may acknowledge the righteous dispensations of Divine Providence, and confess their iniquities and transgressions, for which the land mourneth; that they may implore the mercy and forgiveness of God; and beseech him that vice, prophaneness, extortion, and every evil, may be done away; and that we may be a reformed and happy people; that they may unite in humble and earnest supplication, that it may please Almighty God, to guard and defend us against our enemies, and give vigour and success to our military operations by sea and land; that it may please him to bless the civil rulers and people, strengthen and perpetuate our union, and, in his own good time, establish us in the peaceable enjoyment of our rights and liberties; that it may please him to bless our schools and seminaries of learning, and make them nurseries of true piety, virtue and useful knowledge; that it may please him to cause the earth to yield its increase, and to crown the year with his goodness.

And it is recommended to the inhabitants of the United States to abstain, on that day, from labour and recreations.

Words From Our Founders: Congressional Prayer Proclamation, 1775

Oct 31, 2013JerryWords From Our FoundersPrayer, Words From Our Founders

Today we continue our series examining our Founding Fathers in their own words and considering their high esteem for religion, religious liberty, and virtue.

Below is proclamation of prayer and fasting authorized for publication by the Continental Congress on Monday, June 12, 1775–at the outset of the American Revolution.

From the Journals of the Continental Congress (Volume 2, pp. 88-89):

The Congress met according to adjournment.

The committee, appointed for preparing a resolve for a fast, brought in a report, which, being read, was agreed to as follows:

As the great Governor of the World, by his supreme and universal Providence, not only conducts the course of nature with unerring wisdom and rectitude, but frequently influences the minds of men to serve the wise and gracious purposes of his providential government; and it being, at all times, our indispensible duty devoutly to acknowledge his superintending providence, especially in times of impending danger and public calamity, to reverence and adore his immutable justice as well as to implore his merciful interposition for our deliverance:

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