Welcome to the first Thursday in May. Today is National Day of Prayer. All across this great country of ours, Americans are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation.”
While doing so isn’t the law of the land, there is a law that requires the President to sign a proclamation each year encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
Prayer and fasting as a nation is not something new. The Second Continental Congress had established the need for national prayer in 1775. President John Adams declared this during his presidency. However; a law formalizing its annual observance wasn’t established until 1952, in response to public reaction to the threats perceived in the Korean War.
The constitutionality of declaring a National Day of Prayer was unsuccessfully challenged in court by the Freedom Form Religion Foundation in 2008. No offence, but the very name of this foundation is just silly. There is no formal religion in America. You can choose to pray to your big toe if you like, or not to pray at all. No one is forced to accept or believe in a particular way. The fact that this group is seeking freedom from religion tells me what they want is not only for themselves, but for everyone everywhere. No display of faith anywhere. Yeah, I’m not going there.
As Americans we are not required to stand in the streets and recite a particular prayer at a particular time on this day. People are encouraged to pray – in whatever form that takes for them personally in keeping with their particular faiths and observations.
I begin every day in prayer. It’s basically the same words, guided by my heart. Starting the day in conversation with God gives me a sense of purpose, strengthens my faith and brings comfort to my soul.
O Heavenly Father, I offer up this day to you in Christ’s name.
Help me O LORD that I may come to know Your will in all things
And surrender to You
My thoughts, my words, and my actions
For the glory of God the Father
The Son
And the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
I am grateful that as a country we recognize the need to turn to a power greater than ourselves. Wishing you a blessed and fruitful National Day of Prayer.
National Day of Prayer seems like a good reason to sit down togehter as a family and enjoy a beautiful meal.
Bless us O Lord,
And these Thy gifts which we are about to receive
From Your bounty through Christ our Lord
Amen.
Italian Seasoned Roast Chicken
1/3 cup Olive Oil
1 envelop Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
3 lb Roasting Chicken
3/4 cup Chicken Stock
Italian Seasoning to taste
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix olive oil and dry dressing mix in a bowl, reserve 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Brush remaining dressing mix under the skin of the chicken as well as over the skin.
Place chicken on a rack in a roasting pan. Pour chicken stock around the chicken to help keep it moist. If desired, add some Italian Seasoning to the chicken stock for extra flavor. Bake for 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until chicken is cooked through (165-degrees in the thickest part of the thigh); brushing occasionally with the reserved dressing mix.
Let chicken rest for about 10 minutes, tented, before carving. Pour some of the roasting pan drippings over the pieces of chicken just before serving.
Note: If you do not have duel ovens; the chicken can be cooking in a roasting oven.
Roasted Red Potatoes
12 small Red Potatoes
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Garlic Cloves
2 tablespoons fresh Rosemary
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Butter
Heat oven to 425-degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Set aside.
Wash potatoes and pat dry. Cut in half or quarters depending on size. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil. toss to coat and set aside.
Peel and mince garlic. Strip rosemary needles from the sprig, mince well. Add garlic and rosemary to the potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat.
Pour potatoes out onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in heated oven for about 30 minutes, shaking pan occasionally to allow for even roasting.
When the potatoes are nicely roasted on the outside, tender on the inside, add butter to the roasting pan. Cover and allow butter to melt. Swirl potatoes through the melted butter just before serving.
This meal is especially delicious when served with green beans just to round everything out.
Proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 