JEFFERSON CITY — As September gives way to October, Missouri Baptist churches are looking at a crucial Oct. 7 observation of a “Day of Prayer and Humiliation Before the Lord” in preparation for the Nov. 6 general election.
David Krueger, pastor, First Baptist Church, Linn, and chairman, Christian Life Commission (CLC) of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), expressed his thankfulness to the members of the MBC Executive Board for designating the day.
“We’re encouraging all Missouri Baptist congregations to pause and lift the nation up in prayer,” Krueger said.
The intent is to pray for the nation, our governmental leaders on every level, and that God’s providential will be accomplished on and beyond Nov. 6. By this Missouri Southern Baptists will prove themselves to be “salt and light,” Krueger said. Though Baptists have been known to disagree, Krueger said common ground can be found in praying for “kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Tim. 2:2)” This is important, as the Apostle Paul noted, because it is good and pleases God.
Krueger recommends praying Psalm 67 for our nation.
“We are to pray for God’s blessings upon the nation, but not for the sake of the blessings alone,” he said. “We pray for His blessings that, in receiving them, we might have an opportunity to witness to the lost of the mercy of the Lord upon the nation. God has indeed been good to America and believers need to honor God and praise God for that goodness.”
The wayward state of America ought to compel us to pray.
“God is calling pastors and churches all across America to their knees,” Krueger said. “There is a great need in America today for genuine repentance and prayer for the nation. It’s time to make God’s House a house of prayer, as Jesus called it to be.”
Pulpit Freedom Sunday is also set for Oct. 7. That is an Alliance Defending Freedom day encouraging pastors to speak freely about governmental concerns.