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The National Day of Prayer...

...is today. And I am excited. Why?

Because I have a rare opportunity to be in prayer with literally millions of other believers at the same time....and know it. How amazing it is to know that on this very day, people all over this country--every race, both genders, every walk of life-- are making special time to pray to Almighty God in thanksgiving for His mercies and blessings and in intercession on behalf of our families, churches, nation and its leaders. It makes my heart swell to know that I am a part of this great multitude.

Now for the inconvenient part: last night the Holy Spirit challenged me to pray for a certain individual (alright...individualS) that I don't particularly care for. I'm ashamed to admit it, but there are people that I just don't like, try as I might. Usually, I dislike a person for just cause; the person wronged me in some way and I am hurt. Yet despite that and to my chagrin, the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit challenged to me to pray with sincerity for the person(s) that have hurt me, the ones I like the least...

I am less excited about this part. Nevertheless, I must submit to the leading of the Lord (after all isn't that what Jesus commanded us to do in Matt 5:44*). So I started today and intend to make it a point to call their names (one in particular) before the Lord every time I approach the throne. I can already feel my heart softening towards them.

Now I ask you, is the Lord challenging you to take your prayer life to the next level?

*But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

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