David Lowe is a staff writer of the Lampasas Dispatch Record. In the final hours before His trial and crucifixion, Jesus — God incarnate, the King of Kings, the One sent to conquer sin and death — humbled Himself before the Father in prayer. Agonizing over the sacrifice He would make, He sweated blood, Luke 22:44 says, and committed Himself to doing God’s will.

With Christ’s devotion to prayer as a model, how much more should Americans ask the Lord for guidance, strength, protection — and forgiveness — by beseeching God’s mercy for themselves and for the United States.

Thursday’s National Day of Prayer, the 59th annual observance of the Christian prayer gathering, offers a perfect opportunity for believers to seek God’s forgiveness through Christ and implore God to turn the hearts of their countrymen to Him.

The National Day of Prayer’s emphasis on repentance — a change in direction characterized by setting one’s mind on God, expressing contrition for wrong deeds and following the Lord’s commands — offers a reminder of the need for holiness.

As the Bible teaches, sin separates mankind from the ever-perfect, holy God. All who repent of their sin, however, and trust Jesus as the sacrifice who died and rose again to grant forgiveness, can be cleansed. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9 promises.

The National Day of Prayer reminds individuals that they must turn from sin and seek forgiveness in order to experience the closeness and blessings of God. Likewise, communities and nations can receive either blessing or judgment from God based on their deeds. As the National Day of Prayer approaches, Christians are encouraged both to acknowledge their own sin and to pray for America as a whole to turn to the Lord’s ways.

Prayer not only can declare God’s lordship over believers’ lives but also should invite God’s protection and wisdom for those who exercise temporal rule. As the Bible teaches, all earthly authority ultimately comes from God. God expects His followers to honor those who exercise political authority and in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 commands that “entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings” be offered for “all men, for kings and all who are in authority.”

Consequently, the National Day of Prayer emphasizes prayers for divine wisdom and godly decisions for government officials. Recognizing that many other fields also shape American life and culture, the national event also calls Christians to pray for God to direct those who exercise influence in education, business, media and the military.

With troops still sacrificing in war, with economic stress straining America, and with political tensions mounting in many national issues, now, as always, Christians should ask God to guard and direct those who defend, govern and influence the United States.

This week’s prayer gathering also reminds of God’s faithfulness in times of need. Just as Jesus prayed during His hours of greatest tribulation, Christians today can seek God’s strength through prayer. Using Nahum 1:7 as its theme verse for this year’s observance, the National Day of Prayer reminds participants that “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”

Today, Americans face many trials in their own lives and many dangers to their republic. Through every tribulation, though, God remains the defender, the provider, the guide, the wisdom and the strength for those who seek Him. As Jesus turned to His Father during His most fearful and terrible moments, so prayer reminds Americans to trust God — rather than fearing their circumstances — when they and their country encounter times of crisis.

Though America’s needs are great, the response is simple. Like Jesus did, His followers simply need to pray, “not my will, but Yours be done.”