The National Day of Prayer: A Bald Head Island God Encounter:
On May 6th, 2010 the Chapel participated in the 59th Celebration of The National Day of Prayer. Carol Sauder played beautiful music as people were praying for Our Nation. The Prayer we focused on was written by Franklin Graham, the 2010 Honorary Chairman of The National Day of Prayer. We were also given a prayer guide to lead us in our prayer.
Sitting in the beauty of the Chapel, looking out the windows at the marsh and hearing Carol on the piano and organ, one could sense the presence of God. The thoughts that came to mind were: Keep our men and women in the military protected and out of harm’s way. God, no government organization can thwart Your plans - give us wisdom as to how to carry out Your plans. Heal the fractures of our Island, of our State, of our Nation and of the World. Forgive us for fearing man and being intimidated by the world’s ways instead of standing up for Your ways. Finally, we may not be able to change the world, but we can start with ourselves and our family and say as Joshua said: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. It is an audacious thought that person by person, family by family things can change.
I wondered what God would say to us as we sat there. Listening quietly the thoughts that entered my mind were: Live your life by accepting all My Son paid for! It seemed that the heart of God was impressing on me the thoughts of how a parent is impacted when they give an outrageously wonderful gift to their children and it is not appreciated. I thought I heard God sigh and say “I wish My children truly appreciated and accepted all the gifts and resources I have provided for them.” Thinking of the hatred toward America as well as all the hatred in the world I focused on the Bible verse where God says that His Children will be known by the Love that they exhibit – not human love, but the love God provides for us to love each other with. What would happen here if we loved each other with God’s Love? Also, what would it be like if we exhibited an Attitude of Gratitude? There were thoughts of what it would be like if we would stop worrying, fearing, hurrying and being anxious and replace these activities with TRUST in our awesome God. What would happen if joy reigned in our lives? Circumstances might prevent happiness but Joy is the Flag that Flies When The King is in Residence. Yes, I had God thoughts as I sat in the Chapel praying for our nation and realizing that one by one, we can choose to listen to God and as we obey, He promises His resources to handle our lives. Yes, it is a God Encounter when we realize that God wants to do something BIG and it just might begin with me!
