I desire then that in every place the men should pray,
lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
1 Timothy, 2:8 (ESV)
The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 2nd and it has a long history:
1775 – The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer
1863 – Abraham Lincoln called for such a day.
1952 – Congress established NDP as an annual event by a joint
resolution, signed into law by President Truman .
1988 – The law was amended and signed by President Reagan,
designating the NDP as the first Thursday in May.
If ever the people of our nation had a clear need to pray for this
country, now is indeed that time. Over the next several weeks, we will
explore the seven pillars of prayer suggested by those organizing this
event.
Government:
Even though there are some who would have us believe differently,
American government was founded on prayer. Starting with the
Mayflower Compact in 1620, prayer for the blessing of our new nation
immediately following President Washington’s inauguration in 1789,
through the Civil War, two World Wars, and internal and international
conflict, our leaders have continued in prayer up to the present day.
Even President Barak Obama has signed a proclamation designating
National day of Prayer every year since his election, despite complaints
by atheists and even legal challenges.
As the National Day of Prayer approaches, we should prepare our
hearts and our minds to pray for our government. Commit2Pray.com
(a project of the National Day of Prayer Task Force) suggests that we,
“Pray for our local, state, and national leaders asking God to grant
them wisdom, discernment, and hearts that are open to His leading.”
It is also suggested that one get to know who your elected leaders are
so that you can pray for them and their families by name, just as you
would for your own friends and family.
In my opinion, we should also pray a spirit of humility and repentance
for our leaders, that they would lead us all to seek God’s face.
Today’s Praise
He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him
we have set our hope that He will deliver us again. You also
must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for
the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:10-11 (ESV)