Next Thursday at noon there will be a gathering of people praying at Farmin Park in Sandpoint, joining thousands of groups of people spread heavily throughout the nation on that day. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:18 that we should “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

This scripture is part of the conclusion for the section on putting on the armor of God. We often stop after the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, but a great part of the focus of that theme is preparation for prayer. If you want to understand how Jesus prays, read all of John 17, which is sometimes referred to as the other Lord’s prayer. I trust that these few words today will be an encouragement to all who read them, but specifically a challenge for you to join with many others for the National Day of Prayer.

“As the church, we commit to pray and love our neighbor and nation as You loved us, that our reputation in this world would be rooted in Your love. The Holy Spirit works and overflows through us in every prayer, thought, word, and deed. May our character, conversations, and conduct reflect the righteousness in which You clothed us and commanded us to live.” (National Day of Prayer Task Force)

Please gather together at Farmin Park Thursday, May 4, with music beginning at 11:30 a.m. and prayer at noon. The theme for this year’s gatherings around the nation is “pray fervently in righteousness and avail much.” (James 5:16b)

Ken Lawrence is pastor emeritus at River of Life Church.