Monday, May 5, 2008

National Day of Prayer

According to my calendar, today is the "National Day of Prayer". But I've been hearing about people indicating they did this on May 2. So I wonder which date is correct? Does God honor prayers done on the National Day of Prayer more than on other days? I should read up on why the National Day of Prayer was started. I'm not being cynical about it - just wondering why the National Day of Prayer.

Yesterday, I had the honor of praying with a lady (for privacy purposes, I will call her Jean) who requested prayer with the anointing of oil by the elders (James chapter 5 talks about this). I was excited to be given this opportunity even though I did not know Jean well. She has been diagnosed with kidney cancer and will be having surgery to remove one kidney on May 7th. I read the scriptures on Sunday morning about "oil" in both the Old and New Testament. I learned oil was used to make the temple holy in the Old Testament. Anointing with oil signified someone/something being set apart for a function - dedicated if you will for a purpose. In the New Testament, it was used for the purposes of healing. Jesus was the anointed one - and also one who anointed with oil for healing others. The oil does not heal - it is symbolic of the Anointed One who has the power to heal and to save. We anointed Jean on Sunday and prayed with her.

Today Jean, I hope you know you are God's beloved. He loves you as a Father and a Lover. He is your great Healer and Friend. On this National Day of Prayer Jean, I will be praying for you.

1 comment:

Rachel said...

That was beautiful Kristine