National Day of Prayer
Posted by mom2mom on May 6, 2009
Tomorrow, 5/7/09, the first Thursday in May this year, is the National Day of Prayer. Here’s what the Wikipedia article says on the history of the National Day of Prayer:
There have been several national days of prayer in the U.S. before the day was made official in 1952. The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate “a time for prayer in forming a new nation”. During the Quasi-War with France, President John Adams declared May 9, 1798 as “a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer,” during which citizens of all faiths were asked to pray “that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it”.[1] The words prayer and day have been used together in speeches by every U.S. president since the founding of the nation.
On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each following president at an appropriate date of his choice. In 1982 a National Prayer Committee formed to coordinate and implement a fixed commemorated day of prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended the law decreeing that the National Day of Prayer should be held on the first Thursday of May. A claimed intention of the National Day of Prayer was that it would be a day when members of all faiths could pray together in their own way.[citation needed]
President George W. Bush held an annual event at the White House on NDP, but this year, President Obama intends to issue a paper proclamation but is holding no event at the White House:
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/06/prayer-day-no-show/
I suppose I should not be surprised since Obama, while visting a Muslim nation (Turkey), seemed to apologize for the U.S. coming across as a Christian nation and tried to characterize the U.S. as a secular, civil society not unlike modern-day Turkey (huh?!) Here’s a clip of Obama speaking in Anakara:
Christians in America need to pray for our nation and for Mr. Obama. We should be praying daily, but it’s also important on this upcoming special day that we pray together and stand in the gap for this nation. So I urge every believer reading this to find and attend a National Day of Prayer gathering in their area, or if you’re not able to make such a meeting, to take some time wherever you can to pray. If you can get at least one other believer to join you, then that’s even better.
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20 (New King James Version)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (New King James Version)
Add A Comment