LA  CROSSE, WI (Diocese of La Crosse) - We call on all Christians Monday to join in praying the Lord's Prayer for Tuesday's elections and for the future of our nation - especially for godly leaders who respect life in the womb, God's plan for marriage, and religious freedom.

Let's storm heaven Monday with the Prayer Jesus taught us.  Pray it often throughout the day, and pray it from your heart. This is a prayer that unites Christians across all denominations.  It starts by glorifying the Father's name and asking that his kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Is that not our greatest hope for our country at this critical moment? 

Imagine the power of millions of Christians united in the Lord's Prayer the day before the elections!

Let us never forget what Jesus told his disciples about the power of prayer in Luke 11:5-13, immediately after teaching them to pray:

 "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

Let's take Jesus at his word!  And consider adding fasting to your prayer.  This can take many forms - skipping a meal or two, skipping dessert, "fasting" from television.  Fasting is pleasing to the Lord and adds intensity to our prayers.

In recent days we have seen the awful power of nature as it surges from the sea on our eastern coastline.  That is nothing compared to the awesome power of God when it surges in response to prayer - especially his prayer! 

So let's all lift our hearts and spirits to our heavenly Father in Jesus' name on Monday.  And all the better if you carry it into Tuesday!  Thy kingdom come!