On January 20, 2001 our new President, George W. Bush delivered a very important speech to the people of America. In his speech, Mr. Bush painted a portrait of "America at it's best," and gave us a lesson on how to be a good citizen. We know that prayer lays the foundation for building a people of character and a great nation. Knowing God and His word will give us the wisdom to be good citizens and the desire to love our neighbor. That is why it is important to pray about the ideals and goals that our President set before the people of America on Inauguration Day. The Prayer Agenda for your Prayer Walk today is taken from some of the important points in the President's inaugural address. Each segment has a quote, and a scripture, and presents three prayer points.

 

The Front Door of the White House

"...the American story - a story of flawed and fallible people (people who make mistakes) united across generations by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, and that no insignificant person was ever born."

"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Note: God loves everyone and has a plan for each person in our nation. It doesn't matter where they come from or what they look like. Pray that all people will come to know the Lord and His great blessing of peace and hope for their lives through Jesus Christ.

·Everyone belongs - Pray that everyone in our nation will feel that they belong and will know that they can and do belong to God.

·Everyone deserves a chance - Pray that everyone will have the chance to follow his/her dream.

·No insignificant (unimportant) person was ever born - Pray that no one will feel insignificant or unimportant but know they are and can be a contributor.

 

 

The Oval Office

"...While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise, even the justice of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limited by: failing schools, and hidden prejudices, and the circumstances of their birth..."

"The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Your children will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities." Isaiah 58:1-12

·Failing schools - Pray for the schools of America. Pray for the teachers, the students and the administrators. Pray for peace and protection.

·Hidden prejudice (when people are treated differently because of their race) - Pray that prejudice and hatred will stop. Pray for those who have been wounded by this kind of hatred. Ask the Lord to help you to be an example of God's love.

·Circumstances of their birth (people born into poverty or hurting families) - Pray that God will help those in need. Are you willing to be a helper, by giving, loving and praying? Tell the Lord you are willing and ask Him what you should do.

 

The Old Executive Office Building

"...We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. Today we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character."

"Therefore, as the elect of God holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering: bearing with one another and forgiving one another..." Colossians 3:12-17

Note: "Sometimes in life we are called to do great things. But as a saint of our times once said, every day we are called to do small things with great love. The most important tasks of a democracy are done by everyone."

·Courage - Pray that the President will have the courage to speak the truth, and live a godly life regardless of what others might say.

·Compassion - Pray that the President, the leaders and the people of America will be guided by compassion as they serve one another.

·Character - Pray that the character of God as shown in Colossians 3:12-17 will be lived out by our President. the leaders, and the people of our nation.

 

 

The Back Door

"...What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to: seek a common good beyond your comfort; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens; citizens not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character."

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Deuteronomy 5:1-2

·Serve your nation beginning with your neighbor - Pray about how you can serve the nation and especially your neighbor.

·Be citizens not spectators (don't just watch but act) - Pray that your friends and neighbors will join you as you begin to do good works in your community. Be a leader. Show the way.

·Be responsible citizens - Pray that the people of America will not take their freedom for
granted but will become grateful, useful citizens.

 

The East Entrance

"...In the quiet of the American conscience, we know that deep persistent poverty is unworthy of our nation's promise. And whatever our views of its cause, we can agree that children are not at fault. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are failures of love..."

"God places the lonely in families, he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy..." Psalm 68:6

Note: God loves all the children. He is always with them. It is our broken society that causes children to be hurt or abandoned. The love of Jesus, your helping hands, and the prayers of all the children can make a difference in the lives of children at risk.

·Poverty (Those children who do not have enough to eat or a place to live or proper loving care.) - Pray for the children of our nation who are lost in poverty. Pray for the organizations that feed the children. Pray that our leaders will have the wisdom that comes from God, to solve the problem of poverty.

·Abandonment (Those children who have been left alone and have no parents or loving guardians.) - Pray for the children who have been abandoned. Pray that loving, caring, godly families will adopt these children.

·Abused (Children who are mistreated or hurt by unloving people.) - Pray that God will heal the children who have been hurt or mistreated. Pray that they will be protected. Pray that they will come to know Jesus.