With bombs falling and international tensions at a seemingly all-time high – could there be a better time for a National Day of Prayer?
Could Congress envision in 1952, when they enacted into law the first Thursday in May as The National Day of Prayer, what the world would be facing in the new millennium? Perhaps they drew upon Abraham Lincoln‚s
call, in 1863, for a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.”
Presidents from Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan have endorsed this call to national seeking and reverence. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
The 2003 National Day of Prayer effort in San Diego County will emphasize church-based prayer events around the county on Thursday, May 1.
“We are calling all County churches to open their doors on that day for at least an hour of fervent prayer,” said Jane Crane, Co-Chair of the NDP – San Diego effort. “Everyone is encouraged to assemble at churches to pray for our nation, state, and God‚s plans for our country.”
This year San Diegans have an additional item on their prayer list – the Billy Graham Mission just a week later on May 8, and Mr. Graham has been included in countywide planning. “Amazingly, God has orchestrated an incredible week of countywide prayer during the week of the National Day of Prayer,” Crane continues.
Two major prayer events for the Billy Graham Mission will take place that week – one just before the NDP and one just after. “With over 500 churches currently involved with the Mission,” noted Crane, “the amount of prayer being offered up that week should be electric! We urge all churches to remember these important dates:”
• Sunday, April 27 (6-8 p.m.) – The „San Diego P.U.S.H.‰ Event for the Mission – All are invited to gather at Qualcomm Stadium to “Pray Until Something Happens!”
• Thursday, May 1 – National Day of Prayer at churches.
• Saturday, May 3 (10-11:30 a.m.) – Youth Rally to encircle Qualcomm and pray for the San Diego Mission with Billy Graham. There are also two major community prayer breakfast events ò one a tradition and another new:
• Friday, April 11, (6:45 a.m.) the 26th annual San Diego Community Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Town and Country Convention Center in Mission Valley. Rolf Benirschke, chairman of the Billy Graham Mission here, is the keynote speaker. For details, call (619) 298-9670.
• Thurday, May 1, (7:15 a.m.) the first North County Executive Prayer Breakfast will be held at the Del Mar Hilton. Phil Downer is the featured speaker. For details, call (760) 436-5599.
Last year a countywide NDP event was held on Harbor Drive, when thousands came out on the Saturday morning before the NDP to pray in front of the County Administration Building for our county. Due to the major countywide prayer events taking place this year for the Billy Graham Mission, the local National Day of Prayer leadership will not host a countywide event the same week, but instead is encouraging churches across the county to host events at their churches on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 1.
“Participating churches can also download the National Day of Prayer LOGO from the website to create a church bulletin insert, mailer, or banner for the front of their churches,” Crane said. “Using banners and sign, you can invite your neighborhood to prayer on this important day.”
A prayer is made available each year by the National Day of Prayer Task Force to be prayed across the nation. Their aim is to have every community praying the same prayer, ideally at noon in each time zone. Last year over 40,000 NDP events took place across the U.S. and used the national prayer. This year‚s prayer has been written by
Dr. Luis Palau:
“Our Father and our God, We thank you for the many blessings You have poured out on America and we praise You for Your mercy.
“You have said: ŒRighteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.‚ We confess, O Lord, our national and personal sins.
We repent and ask forgiveness for all actions that dishonor You. “O God, bless our President and other leaders. Provide them with wisdom and move them to honor You.
“Deliver this great nation from all our enemies as we recommit ourselves to trust, serve and obey Your commands.
“We pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Participating Christian churches who register with the local NDP office, which is organized for the Christian expression of the National Day of Prayer, may be listed on the website to encourage community participation. Churches who plan to be open for prayer can register as “participants” by mail/fax, or on the local website at www.ndpsandiego.org.
