Our National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 7, 2009. Calls for prayer as a nation have occurred throughout our history. The Continental Congress called for a day of prayer in 1775 as “a time for prayer in forming a new nation.” John Adams called for a day of prayer and fasting in 1798, and Abraham Lincoln called for one in 1863. President Harry S. Truman signed a bill in 1952 declaring a National Day of Prayer. The holiday originally did not have a fixed day, but an appropriate day was to be selected each year. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill that amended this law so that the day would be fixed to the first Thursday of May.
This call for prayer has definite Judeo-Christian roots. Consider the following passages:
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1, ESV
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV
What can I pray for?
- Pray for wisdom for our leaders.
- Pray for God’s protection. This may include prayers for members of the military. We have several who are on our prayer list as a congregation.
- Pray for truth and morality to be portrayed in our public life.
- Pray for safe and wholesome environments for our children.
- Pray for revival. May God’s truth be boldly presented and may it touch our hearts.
- Pray that families will follow Godly principles.
The above are just suggestions. You may think of many other things, for example, we may also be praying about jobs and health with the concerns over influenza.
The instructions of 1 Timothy 2:1-2 are practiced by many Christians, but I still appreciate the national call to prayer. May our prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be for all people.
while today 