Archive for the 'America' Category
How to Pray for America in This Historic Moment
We are living history. The election of a new president and the transition of power in this nation are always historic. Both the House and the Senate have proven veterans and newly elected leaders. This is historic.
At this time in history, how do we pray for America? Last week, I spent two days in Washington, DC. I attended meaningful meetings and heard convictional, dynamic, elected leaders speak and converse with us about the future of America. Again, we are living history.
Beyond the political pundits and talk show hosts, beyond the rising challenges of violence and danger in our nation, we have God. Yes, we are one nation under God!
I want to tell you how I am praying for America daily. In fact, not only am I praying daily, but thousands of members in the church I pastor are praying with me each week in their time of prayer with our church.
Call out to God for the United States of America
The Scripture Text We Are Praying Daily:
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
With confidence in the authority of Scripture and a deep belief in the power of prayer, we stand on the words of Jeremiah 33:3.
7 Things We Are Praying for America
1. Father, we cry out to You alone: Give America a nationwide spiritual awakening, resulting in millions coming to Christ.
2. Father, we cry out to You alone: Wake up and revive Your Church in America, beginning with waking up and reviving our church.
3. Our God, we cry out to You for a safe and orderly transition of power between the administrations of President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump. Lord, please protect President Obama and his family, Vice President Biden and his family, President-elect Trump and his family, and Vice President-elect Pence and his family in these days of transition and in the future.
4. Lord, as we have prayed for you to raise up the leader You desire for us to have over the next four years, we thank you and pray today for our future President, Donald Trump, beginning with his inauguration on January 20.
5. Father, give President-elect Trump wisdom in his choices for America’s leadership and grant Vice-President elect Mike Pence and both houses of Congress the wisdom to assist the President-elect in these decisions.
6. Lord, grant our nation unity. We must come together. In Jesus’ name, we pray against division and disorder, asking for unity in America.
7. Father, grant mercy upon the United States of America.
These are my thoughts and prayers. If these will serve as a guide for you, use or share them. If not, come up with your own ways to pray for America.
In this historic moment, there has never been a greater need for prayer. Join me. Join us. Let’s see a great spiritual movement of prayer emerge in our nation in an unprecedented manner.
Now is the Time to Lead and to Pray,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor: A Reminder of the Priority of the National Security of America
Today, December 7, the United States commemorates the 75th anniversary of the surprise attack on our forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, by the Imperial Japanese Navy. That attack killed 2,403 Americans and wounded 1,178 others — and was the direct cause of our nation entering into World War II. It was, according to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “a date which will live in infamy.”
This past June, I presided over the Southern Baptist Convention as President. In this setting in St. Louis, I wanted to highlight the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The attack on Pearl Harbor reminds us of the priority our own nation’s security.
In this moment of deep reflection about Pearl Harbor, I was humbled to be able to introduce and bring honor to Mr. Bill McAnany, a native of Wood River, Illinois. He is one of an estimated 2,000 remaining Pearl Harbor veterans who witnessed firsthand the attacks on December 7, 1941.
Bill joined the Navy in 1938 and, after basic training, received advanced training as a hospital corpsman. He was assigned aboard the USS Solace, a 400-bed hospital ship that arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on October 27, 1941, where it would remain until the fateful events that unfolded on December 7, 1941.
On that historic morning in Pearl Harbor 75 years ago, Bill and some of his friends were enjoying a beautiful Sunday morning. Then, the first wave of attacks upon Pearl Harbor began. They quickly worked their way to Ford Island, which was hit in the attacks, and turned the camp dispensary into a hospital. For the next two days, they provided emergency medical care to the injured and dying until they were finally relieved of their duties and able to return to their ship.
The attack on Pearl Harbor changed Bill’s view on life forever. After seeing countless critically wounded troops fighting for their breath just to stay alive, he learned the value of a human life. To quote Bill from an interview, “You quickly realize that life is a gift not meant to be wasted.” On this December 7, Bill and his wife Linda will be in Pearl Harbor together to remember that day of infamy, but also to celebrate Bill’s 95th birthday and their 45th anniversary together.
Pearl Harbor is a constant reminder that our freedom, purchased by the blood of American patriots, should never be taken for granted. May we forever be grateful to God for our citizenship in a land where the sunlight of liberty shines from shore to shore. May we forever give thanks to those who laid down their lives for freedom’s cause. And, may we always remember and honor those who fought, died, and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. We owe a priceless debt to the men and women who gave their full measure of devotion to duty on December 7th, 1941 as well as throughout all wars. May the passing of time never dim the glory of their deeds and the legacy they left behind.
We must never forget the tragedy that occurred in our nation 75 years ago today, December 7, 2016. Since that moment, America has never been the same. It still serves as a reminder of the priority of America’s national security. But even more importantly, as we reflect upon and remember this tragedy, we also need to look to the future with great hope, knowing that the sacrifices at Pearl Harbor are largely responsible for keeping America the greatest country in the world.
For all the families who have lost their loved ones in the line of great duty to defend our nation, we pray for God’s peace to be upon you in your deep loss. For all of those who have served our nation, thank you. For anyone serving our nation today in our own land or across the world, our hearts are overwhelmed and blessed with gratefulness for your sacrifice for the protection of our nation.
I love America.
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.