By Allen Palmeri
Associate Editor
JEFFERSON CITY—The National Day of Prayer is serving as a lighthouse for the Show Me Your Glory Lord prayer initiative to balance the Missouri state budget, shining brightly on its May 6 date just before the scheduled May 7 finish of the Show Me intercession.
Multiple denominational and ministry leaders are joining in at this point, contacting their networks and engaging their members. A prayer team has been formed and is working hard to keep the 40-day prayer and fasting emphasis riveted on a key point that no lawmaker is to be listed by his or her name or his or her title. This is to help prevent anyone from grandstanding in prayer for political purposes, and also to halt accusations to that effect.
The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is Nahum 1:7, which reminds Christians that the Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and a God who knows those who trust in Him. An event will be held May 6 at the State Capitol.
It is hoped that the 40 days of prayer and fasting will be promoted in various Missouri churches and circles of influence. Special programs can be planned in local churches with times of dedication to pray for elected officials. Churches can also organize group trips to the State Capitol to visit and pray with lawmakers. Letters and emails can also be effective ways to let legislators know that Christian citizens are praying for them.
“Make sure your church is part of the answer, not the problem,” said Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Lobbyist Kerry Messer. “As people get upset or disgruntled with budget cuts that affect parts of the budget that impact them, respond with compassion, not complaints.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity for the Church to reclaim some of the moral ground it has lost over the past 60 years. As the culture has shifted more and more away from the Church and towards the State, the hearts of hurting people have also shifted. This crisis is a great opportunity for the Church to reconnect to hurting people with answers and compassion.”
Focus on the Family’s radio news network did its part to promote the March 29 kickoff to Show Me Your Glory Lord by airing a favorable news report. The result was a large crowd that overflowed the Rotunda, a heavy media presence, and plenty of prayer coverage up and down the halls of the State Capitol.
“This is so historic to see the legislators of a state ask for prayer,” said Lisa Crump, national coordinator senior manager for the National Day of Prayer who left her office in Colorado Springs, Colo., to come to the March 29 event. “To see the concern they have for Missouri’s citizens is so refreshing. They really care. They want good answers.”
“I really hope that it will be something that spreads to other states as well.”