Today is the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer.
Mission: is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and it’s leadership in the seven centers of power:
1. Government
2. Military
3. Media
4. Business
5. Education
6. Church and finally
7. Family
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The National Day of Prayer Task Force (I didn’t even know there was one!) seeks to:
1. Foster unity within the Christian Church.
2. Protect America’s Constitutional Freedom’s to gather, worship, pray, and
speak freely.
3. Publicize and preserve America’s Christian heritage.
4. Encourage and emphasize prayer, regardless of current issues and positions.
5. Respect all people, regardless of denomination or creed.
6. Glorify the Lord in word and deed.
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You can find the history of the National Day of Prayer here.
A quick summery…
1775: The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer (NDP).
1863: Abraham Lincoln called for such a day.
1952: Congress established NDP as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Truman.
1988: The law was amended and signed by President Reagan, designating the NDP as the first Thursday in May.
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Fun Facts…
** The President of the United States has called for a National Day of Prayer every year since 1975. Read what the current President has to say here.
** There have been 134 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States (1789-2008).
** There have been 56 Presidential Proclamations for a “National Day of Prayer” (1952-2008).
** Gerald Ford (1976) and George H. Bush (1989-1991) are the only U.S. Presidents to sign two National Day of Prayer Proclamations in the same year.