A Prayer for Obama

Flowers represent hope.

In our office yesterday I was grumbling, Bob was playing the blues on his guitar along with various blues CDs, and Byron said something about it's so sad. Then my daughter received an email from a friend, asking everyone to pray for the Obama family. She replied with a wonderful prayer and I'm posting it here today:

My Prayer for Obama

Heavenly Father,
I love you and know that you are in control. I thank you for my family, and friends, a warm bed to sleep in and good food to eat.

I pray that Your will be done in our government. I pray that even though people are racist and vote based on looks, charm, and the color of a man's skin, that you would work a miracle in our country.

I pray that even though Obama has the reputation of being the most fascist, communist senator in 2007, that you would do what some might call impossible, and CHANGE Obama's heart.

I pray that even though Obama has a history of voting against the rights of the unborn, that You would prick Obama's heart every time he looks into the eyes of his dear children. I pray that in spite of the way Obama has voted in the past, You would work a miracle in his heart, and the cries of pain from the children who are being aborted would be heard.
Then we will know that the CHANGE came from YOU God, because YOU can change
even Obama's heart. Our HOPE is in you, Lord.

I pray for a miracle of protection over our children and our country that now has a President who is supported by Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas.
Have mercy on us Heavenly Father for the sake of our children.

Most of all, Heavenly Father, I pray that WE will humble ourselves and pray. In your Word you say,

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Father please forgive us, and heal our land.

Lincoln's post at Habitation of Justice had a good perspective. We, as Christians, need to look to our churches and our own lives and see what needs to be changed. Paul was not as concerned with which Caesar was ruling as with warning Christians about all the false teaching going on and about the way they were living.

Hilo Farmer's Market and Prayer Post

It's A Farmer's Market Day

In Hilo, that's Wednesdays and Saturdays. So, I went with mangoes on my mind and was not disappointed. Besides that, there were fresh radishes, and etc. etc....

While there, I took a few pictures, and talked to an old acquaintance, Danny, who mans a corner stall, selling plants, especially carnivorous ones. Yes, they do eat bugs. I mentioned putting the photos on my blog and about the parables we encounter in our lives. Danny reminded me that these plants use a sweet attractant and then trap the insects once they're drawn in. Just as we are warned about in various Proverbs, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." We can be seduced by something that seems good.

Do you see the little sacs? Those are the traps, holding rain water to drown the unwary bugs. Poor dears.

Being armed against temptation is only one reason why we need to be in prayer. I was reading some of the responses on a Meme that was recently circulating in the blogosphere - comments were invited about the things we are afraid to mention in church or to other Christians. It seems that many people have trouble with prayer, the need for it, the usefulness of it, and making time for a prayer life.

If I have a question about something that's discussed in the Word of God, that's where I go for an answer. What did Jesus do? If at all possible, we can check that. Jesus, as perfect and sinless as he was, and Creator of the Universe (it boggles the mind), found the time, saw the need to spend time in prayer with his Father. He is our model and best example. Do we need it less than he did? And, sometimes, we are told, it was for the whole night! Luke 6:12

Even with people around him (what I would call a real distraction), he was able to be "praying in private." Luke 9:18 Not being able to get off by ourselves is not necessarily an excuse. He was an example to his disciples and us, and taught about prayer. Luke 11:1-13

In addition, it was a habit with him. Reading in Luke 22:39-42, we see that he went "as usual to the Mount of Olives" to pray. He "knelt down" - now this is God's own Son! And, He asks "If you are willing, take this cup from me; (the request) yet not my will, but yours be done." What about naming and claiming it? Also, "he prayed more earnestly." This brings to mind what James 5:16-17 says about the fervent prayer of the righteous.

Some of the comments mentioned not wanting or feeling like praying at or for meals. Jesus is once again our model for right action. He, Creator of the Universe, gave thanks. Someone else suggested that those people should fast for at least 24 hours and then they might be more thankful for the next meal.

How can you sustain a relationship with someone without talking to them (prayer) or listening to them (reading his Word and listening for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit)? I don't think it's possible.