May 3, 2015
Since 1952, every American President has been commissioned to set a National Day of Prayer “on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” In 1988 the law was amended so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May with the stated intentions that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer and that it may one day bring renewed respect for God to all the peoples of the world.
On a more personal level, for a few years, I was a member of the group that organized and promoted our local National Day of Prayer event. Several of those events were held at Island Park Gazebo and involved leaders from many church groups in our metro area. This year, the local National Day of Prayer event will be held at the Holiday Inn (6:30 PM) and a special guest will be Lisa Crump, Senior Director Prayer Mobilization on the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
I can remember when I was helping to put together National Day of Prayer events, I promised myself that I would attend them, even when I was not a leader. But I must admit that I have often been absent from those local observances. Sometimes the day would come and go and I would not even remember it was the National Day of Prayer.
This year I intend to be different. I am planning to attend, would you like to attend with me? I am not going to listen to a good speaker (although I expect Lisa Crump will be a good speaker). I am not going to support local leaders (I do not even know who they are). I am not going to network with local Christians (although I expect I will see some people there who I know). I am not going because I feel guilty (although I must admit to a bit of guilt because of my past absences from this annual event). I am going because I want to join with others and pray for our country.
I have found that praying with other believers who come together for the purpose of praying is a great blessing and uplift in my life. To let them put into words what my heart feels, is enriching to me. To put my faith to work renews my trust in God. To stand with other believers generates hope for our nation and its future. To know that even if there are many in our country who have no time for prayer, there are also many who will make prayer a special priority.
The theme verse for 2015 is “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (I Kings 8:28) God has promised that He would hear our prayer, the question is, will we pray?
