Thomas Jefferson shared these powerful words on March 4, 1801:
“Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.”
The National Day of Prayer – a tradition of honoring God that began in 1774 at the First Congress when a minister was asked to open with prayer and to lead Congress in the reading of four chapters of the Bible – is a call to all of God’s people to unite in prayer in one voice and one mind (Romans 15:6). It is a concept that was birthed in Scripture when the prophets Ezra and Joel (Ezra 9, Nehemiah 8-9, and Joel 1-3) called for the people to unite in humility and reverence before Almighty God. In fact 2 Chronicles 6:13-42 records that all of Israel gathered together to worship and pray unto God. Although the calendar dates have changed, the need for prayer has not. Let us unite on the largest Solemn Assembly in U.S. History and glorify the Lord, remembering that we are one nation, UNDER GOD.
Excerpt from “Still…Under God” by John Bornschein, Vice Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force
Additional Resources:
- WATCH it LIVE: Thursday, May 1, 2014 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm EST—The 2014 National Observance of the National Day of Prayer will be broadcast LIVE from the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. It will be streamed LIVE on this webpage and will be broadcast on DirecTV channel 365.
- ATTEND a local EVENT—Enter your zip code to find an event near you!
- PRAY—Download a Prayer Guide.
- Fresh Encounter—Seeking God Together for Revival in the Land
- A 4-week study focused on Revival by Henry Blackaby & Claude King.
- P.R.A.Y.
- This study based on the acronym P.R.A.Y. (Praise Repent Ask Yield) teaches the basics of prayer. It includes lessons for children and youth.
- 50 States
- A 50-day prayer calendar by state.
- Freedom to Praise, Pray, & Proclaim
- This 3-week series is designed for youth.