Celebrate Your Freedom on National Day of Prayer

If there ever was a time for us as a nation to humble ourselves and pray, this is it. Who would have thought at the beginning of 2020 that we would be facing the multiple dangers associated with the COVID-19 pandemic? Yet despite these threats, we know our God is great and able to save.

As we observe our annual National Day of Prayer, it is good to remind ourselves of this Biblical admonition:

If my people who are called by my name 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 ESV).

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863.

In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress signed by President Truman declared an annual National Day of Prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May.

This year is different for many reasons, but especially because we can’t gather in churches and town squares as is our custom. But we can still pray in our homes and with our families – or gather virtually with believers from across America.

You can log on to the official National Day of Prayer webcast from 8 to 10 p.m. EST. This year’s theme, “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth,” is based on Habakkuk 2:14 and reminds us that this promise, “for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea,” is for us today. Watch this event live at NationalDayofPrayer.org.

May God bless you and your family as you pray for America on the National Day of Prayer.

God bless,

David Cerullo