National Day of Prayer report

Last night I was privileged to participate, along with over one hundred other Christians, in a National Day of Prayer observance at our sister church, Rincon
Mountain Church. Five eastside churches were represented in this gathering, and the unity in Christ was evident around the room, where attendees were seated in prayer circles of about eight to ten each. Using the seven prayer emphases identified by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, local leaders came to the front and led those present in a corporate prayer for that topic. Then individuals around the smaller circles were free to pray aloud on each topic. Those moments produced a pleasant "hum" as we heard souls praying all around the room at the same time.

The seven emphases identified by the National Day of Prayer Task Force are churches, education, business, media, government, military, and family. I was asked to be the prayer leader for the education topic, and I appreciated the words written by the national task force about this topic, which I have reprinted below:

"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. In the early schools of America, 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."

Pray for safety, morally sound instruction and wholesome environments.

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