This past Thursday was the National Day of Prayer. Within the City of Crestview, plans included two different times and locations for prayer, one for noon at City Hall, and the second at 6 p.m. at the Okaloosa County Courthouse.

Different leaders from various denominations were asked to lead the groups in prayer for our government leaders, church leaders, and our nation.

Each year, the Crestview Area Ministerial Association hosts each event. Prayers are lifted by local pastors and participants, asking God to help our nation repent of ways God’s Word has been ignored, to help bring about a sense of humility, and to bless and guide our national, state, and local leaders.

It is the intent of this day to collectively ask God’s guidance and direction for those of us who live and work in this great nation.

The United States Congress established this observance in 1952 as a day to turn to God in prayer and meditation. In recent years, this action came under fire by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. But, in 2011 the foundation lost its bid to declare this action unconstitutional, so the tradition continues.

It is important to remember our prayers do not draw God’s attention to particular situations or desires. God already knows what is going on.

When we pray, we are adding our voices to the prayers that are already ongoing. This strengthens our collective voices and petitions to God.

Sometimes people wonder if prayer works. They wonder if it is worth the time, energy, and effort to pray to God. The answer is “Yes!”

Does God hear? Absolutely! Does God answer our prayers the way we desire? Not always. Can God’s positive answers to our prayers become distorted? And how!

Evil is alive and, unfortunately, very well on planet Earth. For every positive act put into place, there is someone who will try to undermine or destroy the good that is done. And what happens is, people blame God for not answering their prayers. Non-believers point their fingers and laugh at us, wondering where our God is now.

Being people of faith, we never cease our praying. We never give up hope for a better world, a better nation, a better city.

Even though the National Day of Prayer has passed, our prayers continue. Lift yours to God. If you want a better government, pray for the one you have. If you want better leaders, pray for those you have. God hears and God answers.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: God does hear, and answer, prayers

What would life be like if…

●God was the only focus for why people did things?

●all the wonders of creation were viewed with awe?

●all persons respected life as a precious gift?

●all people found ways to praise one another instead of criticize one another?

●all disagreements were handled gracefully?

●all persons made sure one another had enough to eat?

●everyone aided each other following a disaster?

●the color of one’s skin, or the language one spoke made no difference whatsoever?

●all persons treated one another with nothing but respect?

●all persons shunned rudeness?

●all wars were to cease?

Such a worry-free life is what God had in mind, and more, when he created this world. But alas, that utopia was wiped out near the very creation of humanity. One gift God gave to his beloved children was the gift of free choice. And that gift was used to not follow the ways of God, but to seek one’s own pleasures.

Little has changed in the millennia since then. Many people have continued to use their free choice to seek their own pleasures in life. The wonders of creation are exploited for personal gain. Child, spouse and parental abuse continues. Lawsuits are rampant. Greed and selfishness abound. Prejudices for all kinds of reasons flourish. Wars around the world rage on ad nauseam. Sounds pretty bleak, doesn’t it?

Well, it is not nearly as bad as all that! Many people have chosen to use their gift of free choice to live in the ways set before them by God in Jesus Christ. They have chosen to focus on the Lord in everything they do. They view creation with awe and wonder. They view life as the precious gift it is.

There are those who praise one another instead of criticize. And when necessary, they provide discipline in order to correct more than punish.

There are those who are color blind, who do not prejudge persons on any basis, who respect others as children of God, who strive for goodness toward all persons.

They follow one of the teachings of the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22: “Brothers and sisters, encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

How about you? Will you exercise your gift of free choice to live in the ways of God rather than the ways of the world?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: How we use our freedom of choice

To be able to talk to others about our Savior is truly a pleasure.

Many people are receptive to hear of His love and provisions for our lives, just as there are many who want nothing to do with God or His Son. 

And this is in our churches today. 

Sure, people attend church, they might even be involved in the different social aspects, but allow a close look at their lives and we determine that they do not want to be corrected by His Word, even to the point of being offended by His Word and our testimony. 

It is with deep regret that we often see these people only when things are going well, and their way is not being intruded upon. 

Visit the sick? Got it covered.  Give tithes and offerings? Easy.  Even giving to missions is a no-brainer.

But attendance more than twice a year, or once a week? Now you are getting on my rest time. 

Saturday morning breakfast? Only if the weather is too bad. 

We must quit playing church, and start developing our relationship with the heavenly Father.

We cannot call ourselves true believers if our lives are not really changed. 

We cannot and will not be pleasing to Father if our worship is strictly out of duty or done when it is convenient for us. 

Jesus died on His time. He was severely stressed and beaten down; it was not convenient for Him to die for us. 

And yet He did. 

His sacrifice should mean much more to us when we stop and realize that He did it because He loves us — not because it was the right day. It was the right day because God declared it.

My friend, this is the day for you to begin to develop a true and right relationship with Him. 

Love Him for who He is — the Son of God who died for you. 

Let Him into all aspects of your life.  The rewards of salvation alone are well worth our inconveniences.

Seek Him while He may be found.

The Rev. Richard Helms serves at Miracle Acres Ministries, 3187 E. James Lee Blvd., in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HELMS: Today, begin your relationship with God