In 1952 President Harry Truman signed a bill for a National Day of Prayer in America. President Ronald Reagan amended the law to make the date the first Thursday in May. The National Day of Prayer Task Force has been equipping churches with tools to use in bringing congregations together for prayer. This Task Force chooses a theme and verse and provides printed materials to promote and use in a Prayer Gathering within communities and congregations.
Last year the theme was Unity. I ordered the rubber bracelets to give out at our prayer gathering. It was a black band of rubber with white capital letters spelling out the word--Unity. I remember how I felt when I first learned of the theme for the year. I didn’t think it was so great to ask such an impossible request. Shouldn’t we pray for something only slightly impossible? Unity in America seemed a silly thing to focus on for our nation. I don’t know how to explain it, but there are times that I know God wants me to intercede for someone or something. When the National Day of Prayer was finished last year, I just could not take off the black bracelet. I knew I was being called to continue praying for unity in America and that I needed the bracelet to remind me that with God all things are possible. For one entire year I have worn that bracelet. I have prayed with faith and I am going to continue to pray for the impossible in our country—unity. My original cynicism is gone. I have learned my lesson in prayer. I no longer want to pray prayers for what I consider possible. I want to call down the help of heaven to do what only God can do.
This year’s theme is to love one another. What could bring about more unity if the Christians loved one another? I am focusing on what is possible for God and to what I think is possible for the people of America. Prayer is what I can do to bring about peace in the nation in which I live in on earth. I not only pray for myself but also for generations to come who will live in this nation.
I agree with this thought from the National Day of Prayer website. “The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans. It is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. Mrs. Shirley Dobson, NDP chairman emeritus, reminded us: ‘We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep. I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too’.”
This is why I am reminding you of to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Gather a group of people to pray for our nation. Tune into the live broadcast from Washington DC and pray with Christian leaders in our nation. The broadcast will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time at https://nationaldayofprayer.org/articles/pray-for-the-national-observance-of-the-national-day-of-prayer-on-may-2-2019-730-930-pm-et-national-statuary-hall-united-states-capitol-building-washington-dc/501.
God has told us to pray and ask for His power and work in our personal lives and in our nation. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Paul encourages us: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
We live in a nation that has been founded on prayer and the generations to come need your prayers today. Do you pray? Will you pray? Join others in prayer for America.
