February, 1942
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE SS
42
America
A DAY of prayer, of .asking forgiveness for our shortcomings of the past, of consecration to the tasks of the present, of asking God’s help in days to come” — Thus, in part, did President Roosevelt characterize New Year’s Day of 1942 as he proclaimed it a day of prayer throughout the nation. Appreciating the privi lege-ra re in these days— of living in a nation that officially calls its people to prayer, Christians through out America responded in their homes and in public gatherings. T o many Christians of the downtown
lutely no value in America’s praying as a nation today unless we are willing to turn from the liquor-drinking, the gambling, the loose living that have been so preva lent in our nation.” Confidents prayer, in which" Christians of widely varied denominational affiliations were united by the Holy. Spirit, revealed the underlying unity of true be lievers in the. Lord Jesus Christ. There was earnest prayer for all members of the Body of Christ, for the rulers of the nations, for generals charged with respon sibility in the armed forces, and for missionaries
area of Los Angeles, the day’s serv ices in the Church of the Open Door, of'which Louis T . Talbot is pastor, gave opportunity for fel lowship with a host of believers. In opening the first session, Robert P. Shuler, pastor of Trin ity Methodist Church, Los An geles, declared, “ T h e .most heart ening thing in the proclamation is the fact that President Roosevelt has called Upon us to ask God to forgive us our shortcomings. God has promised, ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall hum ble 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’ (2 Chron. 7 :1 4 ). There is, abso. . Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby ap point the first day of the year 1942 as a day of prayer, of ask ing forgiveness for our shortcom ings of the past, of consecration to the tasks of the present, of asking God's help in days to come. "W e need His guidance that this people may be humble in spirit but strong in the conviction of the right; steadfast to endure sacrifices and brave to achieve a victory of liberty and peace.”
throughout the world. The group asked not so mUch for mere gifts at the Lord’s hand as that they might be able to pray in line with His will and purpose as revealed in His Word. Sealing their day of prayer by observing the memorial which the Lord has commanded “ til) he come,” the assembled throng par took of the Lord’s Supper. The appropriateness of this climax was apparent to all. It is at the com munion table that men acknowl edge their sin— national and per sonal— that made the Saviour’s death needful. And at the altar, at the place •of repentance and trust, is thp source of America’s only hope for true national safety. May God keep us at His altar1
w Repent „ and turn yourselves from all your transyres - sionsi so iniquity shall not be your ruin9 (E zek . 18s30).
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