Hope for a Nation

Thursday, May 6, 2010 is the 59th observance of the National Day of Prayer.  How long has there been a day of prayer and where did it come from?  Federally-acknowledged days of prayer have been part of our nation since the Continental Congress issued a proclamation recommending a day of public humility, fasting and prayer in 1775.  On May 9, 1798, President John Adams declared a day of solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer.  He asked people of all faiths to pray for the country’s protection and deliverance from those who would seek to harm it.  President Abraham Lincoln designated April 30, 1863 as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer.  As you can see, the call to the citizenry to pray has been part of our history and heritage.

It was the Reverend Billy Graham however, who suggested that we adopt an annual day of national prayer.  President Harry S. Truman agreed, signing into law a National Day of Prayer to be declared by each succeeding President on the day of his choice.  The National Day of Prayer as we know it was instituted in 1988 through an amendment to the law President Truman signed.  The first Thursday of May was designated as the day to come together and pray for our nation.

I believe a National Day of Prayer is very important.  It reminds us of the importance of prayer and the Biblical admonition to pray for our government and its leaders.  However, it seems that this long standing tradition is in jeopardy.  It is rumored that President Obama has cancelled the day and will not observe it.  This rumor is false.  Although the President chose not to sponsor a White House observance last year, he has gone on the record defending the day and pledging his participation this year.  That being said, a Federal Judge, Barbara B. Crabb, has ruled the law unconstitutional and its continuance is in question.  Need I say more about the need for a day designated to pray for our nation.

The bottom line is this; a National Day of Prayer is meaningless if followers of Christ chose to ignore it and not participate.  Therefore, I call on all Christians in the Des Moines area and specifically the members and attendees of First Federated Church to observe this year’s National Day of Prayer.  You may choose to attend one of the many public events scheduled or to simply observe it in the privacy of your own prayer closet.  Regardless of where you observe it, I encourage you to simply do it.  On page 3 of this newspaper are suggested ways in which we can pray for our nation, leaders, families, churches and members of our Armed Forces.  Demonstrate the importance of this special day by taking time from your busy schedule to pray.