rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in You."
(Psalm 33:22)
Today is the 58th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. This year's theme is "Prayer ... America's Hope", and it is based upon the above Scripture from Psalm 33:22.
In 1775, the Continental Congress first called the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, and the call to prayer has continued throughout American history. President George Washington first proclaimed a day of public thanksgiving on February 19, 1795. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. President John Adams declared May 9, 1798 as "a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer," during which citizens were asked to pray "that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it". In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Harry Truman, officially established an annual National Day of Prayer, and, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed an amended law, which permanently designated the first Thursday in May to be the annual National Day of Prayer. Since the birth of our country, many other US presidents have publicly called for national prayer and repentance. This year, the White House will not publicly participate in the National Day of Prayer.
Regardless, for Christians, the time for mere observance is over. It's time to act. It's time to wake up, rise up, and speak up. It's time to cry out to the One and Only Most High God ... in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Let's not be generic in our prayers, privately or publicly. I intend absolutely no dishonor or irreverence to my Holy God, Yahweh, as I note that people of different faiths with different beliefs can conveniently convince themselves that my God is the equivalent of their god, whomever or whatever that might be.
So, brothers and sisters in Christ, as you faithfully pray--today and every day--make sure to invoke the Name of the One Who is unmistakable: the One Who divides, the One Who reigns, the One Who saves ... the Lord Jesus Christ.
let us continually offer to God
a sacrifice of praise—
the fruit of lips that confess His name.
(Hebrews 13:15)
For more information on the National Day of Prayer, please visit the NDoP official website. For further reflection on this topic, see also ...
How can I encourage and pray for you today? Please let me know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!
Copyright 2009. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.
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