National Day of Prayer

"The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible."


Thursday, May 6th is the National Day of Prayer.  Big Dad and I have been asked to coordinate the first ever National Day of Prayer event in our small town.  We are very excited, and have been prayerfully planning the event since the fall.  The kids actively pray for our town, and they were so inspired after our last county task force meeting.  


We are met with some resistance in our town.  I am surprised only in that I can't imagine someone saying "Nope, please don't pray for me.  I don't want prayer!"  But that is, essentially what they are saying.   That doesn't discourage us though.


If you haven't done so already, please check the website and find the closest event to your home.  Perhaps there will be an event in your town.  If so, hurray!!  Attending it with your kids would be a blessing not only to your nation and town but to your children as well.  


If you find that there is not an event in your town, go to the event closest to you.  And after you see what an event can be like, sign up on the website to coordinate for your town's event next year.  It's a great thing to do as a family.

Please pray for the National Day of Prayer as it has come under some attack recently.  People seem to think that this is a case of the government telling people what to believe.  It is not.  That WOULD be WRONG, and I would be the first to protest it!


However, the National Day of Prayer is not creating a national church or religion, telling people what to do or whom to worship.  It is simply an event to honor the historical truth of our nation's beginnings in Judeo-Christian prayer and religious freedom.  It also honors the wishes of our forefathers that our nation should be prayed for.


"The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations."


We pray for seven areas of our community:  Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family.  I see this as a wonderful opportunity to interest my kids in the workings of government.  They understand that this is something important and they have a vital role.  There is more information on the website if you would like to begin praying with your family for our nation.


Wish you were here!