‘Prayer for such a time as this'

The National Day of Prayer is an event deeply rooted in our country’s history. The concept of setting aside time to pray for the nation and its leaders originated with America’s founding fathers. It was the First Continental Congress, which initially declared a national day of prayer in 1775. Since that time, 34 of 44 U.S. presidents have called for days of prayer during times of crisis, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. This has been the tradition of our nation from its founding.

But it wasn’t until 1952 that congress passed a federal statute recognizing a National Day of Prayer. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a law setting aside the first Thursday in May as the date on which the National Day of Prayer is officially observed.

Franklin Graham, 2010 honorary chairman, will join Shirley Dobson, chairperson of the National Day of Prayer Task Force in Washington, D.C. to urge people all over the United States to intercede on behalf of our country during a prayer service at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.

“Prayer is the most powerful resource we have in this life; yet, many only turn to it as a last resort,” Graham said on the Web site, “When unbelievers pray for repentance of sin and ask for God’s forgiveness, prayer is the spiritual dynamite that obliterates the darkness and despair of a sin-soaked soul.

“May we ask His forgiveness, turn our backs on tolerance of sin, and bow in submission to God and seek His redemption for our people, so that future generations will know His blessed Hand has not been removed. May God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, be once again exalted in our halls of government, in our sanctuaries of worship and in human hearts that need His healing touch. Join me in prayer for America on May 6 for the National Day of Prayer.”

 “Let us stand together in prayer as we humble ourselves, repent of our sins, seek God’s face and ask Him to heal our land (1 Chronicles 7:14),” Graham said.

As millions unite in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast, the 59th annual National Day of Prayer will provide an opportunity for the community of faith to take advantage of rights to publicly gather, pray and worship God.

The theme verse for this year’s National Day of Prayer, “Prayer For Such a Time as This,” is Nahum 1:7, which reads, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”