Hello friends - my sister sent this to me and I thought it was so powerful! Please read, take to heart and really soak up the scriptures below. I am going to figure out something I can fast from and replace with prayer, maybe it is for me to stop watching Fox News in the afternoon - haha!!!
September 25, 2008
Dear Sleeping Giant…It is time to awaken and “Turn the Tide!”
It has amazed me how the race to the 2008 elections has encompassed so many twists and turns. Now, our nation is also faced with incredible financial consequences because of decades of poor choices on every level (government, business, state, local and individual). Today, as I drove my children to preschool, I found myself praying for our nation and asking the Lord how I could help bring change. As many of you, I am concerned about the coming weeks, months and years. I am also concerned about the future of our nation and what we will be leaving as a legacy to our children and children’s children. A thought then came to me, “It’s time to turn the tide and call the sleeping giant to pray.”
Who is the sleeping giant? It’s you and me! According to the media, it is the moms of the United States who are busily working to raise our children, care for our homes, buy groceries, make it to soccer games and various school functions, pay bills, get laundry done, set up play dates, and the list goes on and on. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are an estimated 82.8 million mothers of all ages in the U.S. and approximately 5.6 million (2006 estimate) of those are stay home mothers. (January 2, 2008 “Facts for Features” by the U.S. Census Bureau) That is an astronomical number! The press calls us the “sleeping giant” because we are not the vocal majority. Our voices have not been heard…but the time is now. Let’s make our voices heard where it really counts!
Who am I? I am a college educated woman in my 30’s who was given and made the choice to not work outside our home. I have 5 children ages 3-10 who keep me on my toes…24/7. I am a soccer and ballet mom with 3 other children who will one day add to that load. I am married and help my husband run our business in addition to housework and managing our personal finances. I attend church and love serving the Lord by blessing and serving others. I have friends all over the nation and world who are in the same boat. I have dreams of being debt free, retiring with dignity, seeing the world, making a difference in my lifetime, and leaving a legacy for my children and children’s children. You and I have much common ground!
Friend, I am asking you to consider joining me and countless other moms who will cross the line of no return. I am inviting you to be a part of the awakening giant and turn the tide of this nation. I am not asking you to go to a meeting, work phones or anything of that sort. Very simply…I am asking you to consider fasting and praying for the 21 days leading up to the November 4th elections. The dates are October 15-November 4, 2008. I urge you to consider what you can lay down for the cause of our nation’s future. Some may choose a liquids only fast while others may opt for a Daniel fast. Many may be inclined to lay down sweets, videos/movies, television, etc. Whatever the sacrifice, the idea is to use that time to pray in unity with other women for a concentrated time. I believe when we stand in unity with the good of our nation, submission to the heart of the Lord and a cry for godly integrity at every level of our nation as our focus, there will be no stopping our impact!
Here are some prayer focuses and scriptures you may find helpful: (taken from “Pray for Our Nation” copyrighted and published by Harrison House in 1999 – excellent tool)
1- Prayer for our current President (scripture: Romans 13:1, Proverbs 21:1, 28:2)
a. The Lord would guide him.
b. He would be surrounded by wise counsel.
c. He would have discernment, understanding and knowledge.
d. Forgive and bless him.
2- Prayer for Congress (scripture: Proverbs 8:15, 19:21, 21:30, 15:22)
a. That by the power of the Lord, they would make laws that are just.
b. That they would make right decisions concerning politics, social welfare and economics.
c. That they would be motivated by the hand of the Lord more than partisan and personal concerns.
d. Forgive and bless them.
3- Prayer for the economy (scripture: Deuteronomy 8:17,18, 28:12, Psalms 112:1-3)
a. That people of skill and wisdom with inspired ideas would be raised up in these times.
b. Congress would have foresight and not vote just concerning the present but would have eyes to see the future.
c. The Lord would continue to prosper our nation as we have given to the poor and needy worldwide.
d. That repentance on every level would begin for the debt of this nation – government, business/Wall Street, state, local and individual. We have all had a hand in the increase of debt in this nation. From the individual carrying credit card/consumer debt to the billionaire on Wall Street who financed questionable
loans, to our government that has taken loans from nations such as China, Russia, etc. to finance our nation’s debt. Our need for more and inability to patiently wait for the right time for purchases has created a monster to be reckoned with. We must repent for the debt we have allowed ourselves to incur (whether emergency reasons or just couldn’t deny oneself), humble ourselves and ask the Lord for his strategy on becoming a nation free from the chains of debt on every level.
4- Prayer for elections (scripture: Luke 12:1-3, John 16:13)
a. All U.S. citizens would vote intelligently in all elections.
b. The Lord would bring to light the hidden things so that we would vote in line with His plan, will and purpose using wisdom and demanding honesty and uprightness from our politicians.
c. The Lord would cause our nation to become so weary with sin and degradation in our leadership that we will begin to seek out godly leaders as a nation.
d. The Lord would give upright and honest leaders favor with the public and media
5- Prayer for Foreign Relations (scripture: Proverbs 16:7, Matthew 28:18,19)
a. The Lord would give us favor in the earth.
b. The Lord would open doors to the gospel that have been closed.
c. Godly men and women to fill positions of international leadership and would be equipped with skill and wisdom in working with international affairs.
6- Prayer for Social Conscience to be restored (scripture: Acts 24:16, Proverbs 20:6,7)
a. The value of teaching our children to not only live for the good of themselves but the good of others would be revived.
b. As a nation, we would once again strive for integrity and excellence.
c. That our nation would become mindful of the need to pray and seek the Lord’s wisdom in all things.
7- Prayer for the Media (scripture: Proverbs 14:34, Psalms 68:11)
a. That journalists and publishers would be raised up who will walk in integrity and speak, write and print truth no matter the opposition.
b. That citizens of this nation would no longer buy into or support the hype of the media as a whole.
8- Prayer for National Protection (scripture: John 16:13)
a. Divine protection for the people of this nation.
b. Stop strategies of destruction that our enemies would try to evoke.
c. Give wisdom and strategy to leaders concerning the safety of our nation.
d. Help us to be watchful and discerning as a people.
e. Help us to unite with leaders to insure that all Americans can enjoy freedom without fear.
9- Prayer for our military (scripture: Psalms 119:114, 117, Isaiah 41:12,13)
a. Protect them and their families as they protect and defend us.
b. Encourage and strengthen them: body, soul and spirit.
c. That each soldier and leader would be given wisdom, discernment and knowledge of the enemies’ plans.
d. Give our military forces favor.
“Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit…Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ.” -George Washington, 1st U.S. President
Ladies, I believe with every ounce of my being that we really can make a difference. We can turn the tide of our nation! I and many others feel these elections are crucial, as well as decisions being made concerning our economy and international standings. You may want to begin praying and fasting immediately. Great! Whether you start now or on the 15th, I encourage you to pray, talk it over with your family and cross the line of no return.
Thank you for your consideration. Should you choose to join this prayer strategy, I encourage you to let other godly women/moms know. This will allow us to build a network of support in the coming days that will surely be filled with intense times of prayer. Together, you and I will create a legacy our children and children’s children will be thankful to receive. Let’s not be silent anymore and turn the tide together!!!
In His Service,
C. Swank
