By Dona Fisher

How secure are we anyway?

We Americans invest in automobiles worth thousands of dollars, only to leave them filled with items which tempt robbers to break in. While traveling in the back seat of our family car as a child, my father would always remind us to “put your lockers down”!

We invest in protection in many ways. Our homes and cars are secured with locks and security systems. We hire security guards and depend on our police force to keep us safe. Defense systems, anti-virus software, fire alarms, and hand held mace are all devices to keep us from harm.

In earlier days, cities had lookout towers at the entrance of their city to protect against intruders. Castles had moats of water surrounding them, and those in charge were the watchmen, alerting the inhabitants of any danger approaching them.

Do we commit ourselves to being watchmen and women at our city gates, in our churches, in our families, keeping watch so the enemy doesn’t intrude, praying against sin which destroys? “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe,” (Proverbs 18:10).

“America is on a slippery slope to destruction,” quoted author and speaker Claude King. He likened it to the Leaning Bell Tower of Pisa, which greatly concerns the city of Pisa. It actually is leaning 17 ft. off the plum line. The base and the top floors are marble. The base under the ground floor of marble is deteriorating.

Are America’s roots decaying because our plumb line of prayer and faith has been moved from off center? Have we become watchers instead of watchmen? God’s people praying, as watchmen, is our only hope of getting back to the plumb line of Jesus Christ which is our security system. “Nothing under His control can ever be out of control,” quotes Chuck Swindoll.

Our Homeland Security has been developed to help protect America and keep us safe, but the only sure security is found in II Chronicles 7:14. God says, “If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

God sees the deterioration in our culture, He knows our needs, and He has given us a secure solution:

If – the condition; my people – corporately; who are called by My name – the church; will humble themselves – submit to His will; and pray – ask for His intercession; and seek My face – desire for His sovereignty; and turn from their wicked ways – confess and repent; then I will hear – God’s commitment; and I will forgive – His response; and I will heal their land – that’s His secure promise. (II Chronicles 7:14)

There has never been a more desperate time for God’s people to rise up in unity and fall down in repentance. Only then can we stand firm on God’s promise to redeem, restore, and refine our broken insecure nation.

“For Such a Time as This” is our theme for the 59th annual National Day of Prayer which will be happening on May 6th, 2010 across our land. We will be joined by hundreds of thousands of people across the nation to pray.

Prayer is an inward privilege with an outward testimony of God’s amazing grace. The NDP event encourages Americans to lay aside differences and join hearts in acknowledging our gracious God. We come together in humbleness and turn to God, in whom we can trust, instead of depending on ourselves. The local, state and federal NDP observances are held, from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans in prayer for our country; in city halls, county courthouses, at state capitols, in schools, businesses, churches, and homes . . . people come together and pray.

Prayer-less lives are powerless lives. Prayerful lives are powerful lives.

Dona Fisher is the co-ordinator for Lancaster County National Day of Prayer.