Weekly Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Scripture tells us a little about your early years on earth. You were born to Mary, a woman who humbly accepted the role you had for her [Luke 1: 26-38]. Your earthly father was a righteous man [Matthew 1: 19+], who humbly obeyed the instructions you gave him. You sent angels to announce your birth to lowly shepherds [SEE: Luke 2: 41-52]. We read [Luke 2: 51] that you were obedient to your earthly parents. You were also obedient to God, humbling yourself and becoming obedient to death on a cross [Philippians 2: 5-8]. Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path [Psalm 119: 105]. By studying your Word, we learn how you want us to live.

Your way is perfect, God; your Word is flawless. You are a shield to all who take refuge in you [2 Samuel 22: 31]. How can we keep our way pure? By living according to your Word. We seek you with all our hearts; do not let us stray from your commands. Help us to hide your word in our hearts so that we might not sin against you [Psalm 119: 9-11].

Praise be to you, O LORD; teach us your decrees. Help us to recount with our lips all the laws that come from your mouth. Help us to rejoice in following your statutes, which are great riches to us. Help us to meditate on your precepts and consider your ways—delighting in them and not neglecting your Word [Psalm 119: 12-16]. Accomplish what you desire, LORD God, through your Spirit, at work in and through your people. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.

2025 National Prayer

God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

You have caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; therefore, we hope in what we do not see. This world is not our home or reality,

but the Lord is our Rock, our Truth, our certainty.

God of hope, we pour out our praise and are filled with Your powerful presence.

We pour out our repentance of sin and are filled with forgiveness and righteousness.

We pour out pain from the attacks of the enemy—anxiousness, fear, anger—and You

fill us with courage, assurance, and love.

We pour out our needs, the desires of our hearts, and are filled with Your Kingdom provision and purpose.

We pour out our hearts for our nation, for the people and places, relationships and responsibilities the Lord has established: the Church, Family, Education, Business, Military, Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Government. May all who live, serve, and steward in these be filled with Your purpose, wisdom, strength, and truth.

Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, as we have hoped in You.

In abounding hope, anchored by our hope in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

Written by NDP Task Force President, Kathy Branzell

Thursday, May 1, 2025