Pray for Legislators / Draw Near to the Savior this Easter

Dear friends,

The extraordinary session of the Louisiana Legislature ended last Wednesday, April 13th, and the regular session will begin next Monday, April 25th. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we hear Paul saying to Timothy, “First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness.”

I hope these words of Paul will move you to pray for our legislators. I would like to make a few suggestions for your consideration regarding your prayers for those who serve in the House of Representatives and the Senate (and others in governmental leadership here in Louisiana or in your state or country):

1. Morning and/or Evening Prayers: Include those in government in your personal morning prayers and/or in your evening prayers with your spouse.

2. Mealtime Prayers: Pray and give thanks for the legislators that represent you by name at mealtime prayers. This will allow your children to participate in this important intercessory ministry.

3. Prayers in Worship on Sunday Mornings: Ask your pastor to include our legislators in the corporate prayers of the church on Sunday mornings. This might be a simple one-line request for certain blessings from the Lord, e.g., wisdom, courage, and strength.

4. Letters to Leaders: Write to your senators and representatives and let them know that you are praying for them. Your children could be involved in this correspondence. The contact information can be obtained from the following websites:

http://senate.legis.state.la.us/Senators/offices.asp
http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/H_Reps_FullInfo.asp

I would suggest that you not send an email. I think it would be far better to send your letter by regular mail.

These are just a few suggestions that easily come to mind. You may have other ways of increasing your involvement in praying for these men and women who serve us. By the way, those representatives and senators who attend our weekly breakfast do pray for you. They share prayer requests each week for those who have special need of prayer. They also pray for God’s guidance in their service at the Capitol on your behalf. It is my joy this afternoon to let you know of their prayers for you and to seek to stir your hearts to more prayer for them.

Tonight Christians all over the world will be giving special remembrance to our Lord’s agony in Gethsemane where He prayed and contemplated the terrors of His sacrificial death for you. Tomorrow men, women, and children will come together in great cathedrals and in tiny chapels to be still and solemnly meditate on our Savior’s crucifixion. Then we will wait . . . until daybreak on the Lord’s Day to declare with joyful hearts that He is risen! I pray, as I close, that in every hour between now and Sunday morning, your heart and mine will be drawn nearer to the One who loved us so much – so very much.

In the Savior,

Rod (for Bec and me)