National Day of Prayer celebration announced

For over a decade local Christ-followers have gathered on the first Thursday of May to pray for our nation and region. Our theme this year is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us … Forgive Us …Heal Us!” Taken from Daniel 9:19, which says, “O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and Act! For your sake, o my God...”. As the 2017 National Day of Prayer on May 4 approaches, thousands of individuals, churches, and communities will be working to rally millions of Christians to once again heed this call across the nation.

Our gathering this year at Farmin Park will be a time to gather with one heart and one mind. Though there are many stripes of the Christian faith, there are many amazing unifying things that create a solid foundation for unity in the region. We call upon the name of Jesus Christ as we pray, as Christ himself told us to pray in His name.

When we consider these larger events, it is appropriate to look at the responsibility of all believers in Christ to pray. We are all called to pray, not just for a day, or for a moment in time, but the Apostle Paul urges us to pray without ceasing, to pray for all in authority, and to give thanks to God in all things while making our requests made known to Him. Developing a lifestyle of prayer is about relationship with God.

As we discover the power and freedom that comes with prayer we readily entrust our faith, hope and desire for our lives and the lives of others into the hands of Christ. As we invite God into every circumstance and as we come to Him humbly, he gives grace and mercy so that the circumstance aligns with His will. This active partnership of prayer allows us to pray rightly, knowing that as I pray, I am not just talking at God, but with God.

My heart is to see the Christians of Bonner and Boundary counties begin to partner in prayer with God for the sake of our neighbors, friends, coworkers and families. I long to see God shift the circumstances, hearts, and minds of many because those who believe, pray like it. We can make a difference with prayer because we are inviting the ultimate difference maker into every situation. This is where His glory comes and the world sees how amazing He is! Join us at Farmin Park on Thursday, May 4, at noon, as we seek to come together and pray, to see Him act on our behalf.

Chris Bassett is the senior leader at Harvest Valley Worship Center. He can be reached at hvwc.com.