Dear TFA families,
Today we have been called to observe a National Day of Prayer by the President of the United States. We want to encourage you to find time to pray together with your family today. We want to add our voices to those across the nation who will be calling out for divine healing and protection. We know that God is in control and we know He understands our circumstances. The Bible tells us we can have confidence that He hears and answers our prayers.

Here are some scriptures we can pray over our families today:

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” – 1 John 5:14-15

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” – Psalm 33:12

“I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

We want to pray for physical protection and healing. We want to pray that God will use these events to focus our eyes more clearly on Him. And we want to pray for the opportunity to love our neighbors during their time of need. We can pray for these things in confidence knowing that God listens to the cries of His children.

In particular, I am asking God to calm our hearts and comfort our families during these days of turmoil. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In preparing for today, we found this helpful prayer guide that each one of us can easily follow as we give our fear, anxiety, and worry to our Heavenly Father. Each of the four prayers has a scripture passage to consider and a short prayer to read aloud together as a family.

1. Read Genesis 12:1–9 and Pray

Dear Jesus, my life is yours; I was created by you, redeemed by you, and I am loved by you. Let your blessing go with me each step of the way. I am afraid to live unless you keep me. I am afraid to act or to speak unless I am guided by you. Hold me today, that I may not leave your peace.

2. Read 2 Kings 4:1–7 and Pray

I pray dear Jesus that you will strengthen me and reveal your power so clearly that I will not be afraid of any event, but will cheerfully rely upon you in every circumstance as a testimony to the hope I have in you.

3. Read 1 Kings 16:11–13 and Pray

Heavenly Father today I give you my hopes and fears, my joys and sorrows, all grounded on you. Help me to learn to love what you love, and to hate that which you hate.

4. Read Micah 5:5 and Pray

Dear Jesus, give me your peace that passes understanding. Take away the suffering in our world and take away my fear-filled heart. Today I ask that you quiet my body, mind, and spirit so that I might serve you in complete love and devotion.

Our prayer for each member of our TFA family is that God will bless you and keep you, make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you His peace.

Sincerely,
Steve and Tricia Whitaker