NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
THURSDAY – MAY 1, 2025
Perhaps the tone was set in 1775 when the founding Fathers called for a day of fasting and prayer for guidance in the formation of a government for a new country. Then in 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called for a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.” The awareness of our need for national prayer continued when in 1952 a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual National Day of Prayer. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan continued to acknowledge our need of prayer and amended the resolution permanently designating the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer.
UNITED PRAYER: These days of prayer were to be days when God’s people gathered in churches or other public places to unite their hearts in prayer for the nation — interceding for a country that continues to need the Lord’s direction.
From the earliest days of the Church there was united prayer. Believers met “with one accord in prayer and supplication.” On the Day of Pentecost, they were again all with one accord in one place. There are other places in Acts when the Church met together for prayer. There is power in the Church uniting hearts and voices in prayer in intercession. It is easy to dismiss what often seems like a secular call to prayer — it comes from the President. However, this call to prayer — to unite as many believers as possible to intercede on behalf of the nation — is an opportunity to shape the nation.
FOCUSED PRAYER: For more than twenty years, the National Prayer Committee, comprised of prayer leaders from across the country, has called the nation to focused prayer on seven key spheres of influence.
Government: What might happen if there were godly men and women leading the nation? What might happen if leaders in Washington and in state governments sought His will for governing our nation?
Military: In the days of Hezekiah, the military captains were gathered in the open square and he said to them, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8a). War is horrible, and it would be great if we never had to send soldiers into battle. If we are engaged in war, could we pray that our soldiers live out Micah 6:8 — “to do justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”
MEDIA/ARTS: The minds of our youth are greatly influenced by media. What might happen if believers united in prayer, interceding on behalf of writers, producers and actors that they might put their trust in Christ and create entertainment the supports Christian values and reinforces what we pray families are teaching in the home.
BUSINESS: What if businesses sought to honor the Lord in all they do — in the treatment of employees, in honest trade — and not with selfish ambition but with a desire to truly serve the people? Could we pray for godly leaders who have a heart to see unbelieving employees come to faith in Jesus?
EDUCATION: What if the education system reinforced Christian values instead of teaching what is contrary to the Word? Could we pray for teachers and school leaders who have a heart to see students trust in Jesus?
CHURCH: Could we pray for revival in the Church — an awakening that would cause it to be attractive to the next generation. Could we pray that the Church would have a renewed passion for making disciples of Jesus?
FAMILY: Could we pray that God would strengthen the family; that the idea of the nuclear family would be rekindled; and that the home would be a place that is safe and where children learn to follow Jesus?
KINGDOM PRAYER: As we think about the National Day of Prayer, it is a day to gather with other believers and pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done” in each of these spheres of influence.
DO SOMETHING: Whether you plan a day or hour of prayer at your church or join others in your community for prayer, don’t ignore the opportunity to UNITE in FOCUSED prayer for HIS KINGDOM to come and His will to be done.