The National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 1st is designated as the National Day of Prayer.



The concept was born in colonial America, when in 1775, the Continental Congress designated a "time of prayer in forming a new nation." The issue created an immediate controversy. Thomas Jefferson (always a champion of separation of church and state) objected, saying that religious groups could designate a day of prayer and meditation, but that it was not the place of the government to do so.

1952 was the year that President Harry S. Truman signed into a law a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer. Theoretically, the idea was to set aside a day when people of all faiths would come together for prayer. It was twenty years later, in 1972, when a National Prayer Committee was formed. Later that year, a group called the National Day of Prayer Task Force was formed to schedule events and activities for a National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law that set The National Day of Prayer to be observed on the first Thursday in May.

Today the National Day of Prayer has basically become a project mostly publicized and observed by evangelical Christians. The NFOP Task Force has national offices in Colorado Springs at the home of James Dobson's Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson's wife, Shirley, serves as the Task Force's National Chairman. Volunteers around the country organize programs in many cities and towns, with special speakers, patriotic music, and public assemblies and marches. Many of the observations are held in the steps of Municipal Buildings and Court Houses in big cities and small towns alike.

While it is a good thing to call believers everywhere to prayer on this particular day, one day of focusing on prayer is not nearly enough. Prayer is to the soul as Oxygen is to the body. Believers must have contact with their Heavenly Father. Regular contact. He speaks to us through His Word and His Holy Spirit. We speak to Him through prayer. Prayer is not a position of the body. Prayer is a condition of the heart. Paul the Apostle reminds us to "Pray without ceasing". To always be in an attitude of prayer.

Prayer is not a magical formula to get the things we want from God. Prayer is not designed to get the Almighty to see things our way. Prayer helps us to see things from God's perspective. Prayer does not cause God to take our side. Prayer helps us align with His purposes. The old saying is that "Prayer changes things". Actually, prayer changes us!

We might pray publicly, with eloquent speech, and moving language. Or we might pray silently. One might go on his face before his God, or stand with arms outstretched and hands upturned expectantly. Perhaps you pour your heart out to God behind closed doors (as Jesus suggested). Sometimes we are so burdened and overwhelmed that we cannot verbalize the words. Perhaps we can't say anything at all - but the petitions can still go up to God with the aid of His Holy Spirit who "makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered".

The important thing is that we pray. Earnestly... Often... Persistently... Believing the promises of God. Pray specifically. Pray big! We have a big God. He knows what we need - before we do. He knows what we need - better than we. Yet he encourages us to bring our needs to Him in prayer. Since He has no need of our input, it would seem to me that God designed prayer for our benefit. Are you getting your benefit?

I have often described prayer by using a hand for a pattern. The little finger would represent "Confession". That is what clears the static from the line. Confession brings us into the presence of the Lord and confesses our need for His forgiveness.

The next finger would represent "Thanksgiving". An important component of prayer has us thanking God for his gifts and mercy on our behalf.

The next finger - "Praise", extends past all the others. Praise is somewhat akin to Thanksgiving, but the difference is that thanksgiving focuses on what God has done for us. Praise focuses on Who God Is!

The index finger would represent "Intercession", which allows us to bring the needs of others before the Throne of Grace. We should only bring our personal "Petitions" to the Lord after we have spent time in confession, thanksgiving, praise, and intercession. Our own problems and needs seem much smaller in consideration of the other "four fingers". The thumb of "Petition" helps us grip the needs as we hand them to a loving Father.

Growing one's prayer life should be an ongoing activity in the life of a believer. I want to be a student of prayer, a practitioner of prayer, and a believer in the power of prayer to change my life. The National Day of Prayer will be an important event tomorrow, but prayer is something we must practice on the other 364 days of the year as well.