The National Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday of May. On this day people of all faiths join to unified public prayer for the nation. The National Day of Prayer first time was organized in 1952 when United States Congress issued the joint resolution, which was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. On this day all the nation is invited to mobilize in prayer to intercede for countries leaders and families. As Christians, we know that it’s very important that we pray for one another. This year National Day of Prayer 2018 will take place on Thursday, May 3. So this will be the 67th Annual National Observance.
What is the National Day of Prayer?
Public prayer and national days of prayer have a long history in American society. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when colonies were asked by the Continental Congress to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through America’s history. In 1863 President Lincoln’s announced Humiliation, fasting, and prayer” day, but only in the 1952 year, an annual National day of prayer declared. Finally, in 1988 President Reagan signed the law which set this day on the first Thursday of May every year. So each year, the President of United States signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to join in prayer. As a result, already have been 143 national calls to prayer, fasting, humiliation, and thanksgiving by the President of the United States in the 1789-2014 period.
Significance of the National Day of Prayer 2018
National Day of Prayer is significant and important for the nation. This day enables to remember how the founding fathers of the nation based their decisions in faith to God. Prayer brings different people together and prayer unites all people and different political parties.
Also, prayer reminds us that we all are created in God’s image and likeness. God desires for us to represent Him everywhere we go and in everything we do. We know that without God we are nothing! Let God be the leader of all our nation life each day. So on this day, all the nation comes with the humbled hearts before God. All the nation asks for His guidance and support for the leaders and His Grace to all the people. This day is especially important in these difficult times when the political situation is unstable. Our national leaders face difficult decisions. This day unites all Americans from different political, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in prayer for all the nation and its leaders.
National Day of Prayer 2018 Theme – Pray for America Unity
Prayer brings Unity. So only by standing together in prayer, we can feel the unity of all the nation. And only standing together we can show our unity of America to the rest of the world. We need to keep praying and keep staying close to God’s Word. We must turn to God and ask Him to heal our land. Pray that our country’s President and other leaders will seek God’s wisdom and guidance in all that they do. Only in united prayer, we can get a revival in America! So let’s join and pray for America unity!
National Day of Prayer 2018 Bible Verse
“Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
National Day of Prayer 2018 Prayer Text for America
Our Dear Heavenly Father, while we come to You in complete humility, we also come to You with boldness in the authoritative name of Your One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. In Jesus’ name, fill us now with Your Holy Spirit and lead us as we pray in Jesus’ name for America.
Oh God, we are burdened for our nation today. We turn from the sins that we have committed against your Word and your Name. We turn away from our contentious words and ways toward one another that has led us to division and polarization. We turn away from our disrespect and lack of dignity toward each other, and we turn away from our continual devaluation of all human life from the womb until death in this world. We also turn away from and refuse to participate in skepticism, criticism, and cynicism in our nation. We turn away from anything that divides us, and we run toward the gospel of Jesus Christ that is the only thing that has the power to unite us together.
Lord, in this critical hour in our nation, we pray for unity in America. Only You can bring unity, harmony, and oneness in America. As your Word calls us in Ephesians 4:3, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”, we ask You to empower us to make every effort to live in unity, to call for unity, and to forward unity in America continually.
We pray for the churches in America to unify in Jesus Christ and to pray as one unified spiritual family for America. May Your Church pray for America passionately, perpetually, privately, and publicly.
We pray for God’s power to unify families, workplaces, communities, and cities in America. By Your Spirit, lead us to forgiveness, reconciliation, healing, and unity.
We pray for people of all ethnicities and races in America to come together as one, living in peace and unity together. Oh Lord, because each of us is created in Your image, please give us the courage to stand against all racial and ethnic division, denouncing it as evil and sinful, while simultaneously coming together in unity with all persons knowing this is God’s will for us.
We pray in unity for the security of our nation. We ask You to preserve the United States of America from the forces of evil that are threatening our lives and our future. God, please guard all persons in public and private settings from anyone or anything that desires to harm us or take our lives. Our future is in Your hands.
We agree clearly, unite visibly, and pray extraordinarily for the next Great Spiritual Awakening in America. Oh Lord, wake up Your church spiritually and convict Your people to agree clearly, unite visibly, and pray extraordinarily until the next Great Spiritual Awakening occurs in our generation.
Oh God, we stand together upon Your words in Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.” Through Jesus’ name and by the Holy Spirit’s power, we pray for all Americans to unify and to live together in unity.
In the mighty and majestic name of Jesus Christ who is the Only Savior and the Only Hope in this world, we pray. Amen.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd
President, National Day of Prayer Task Force
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Let’s unite in National Day of Prayer 2018 asking for God’s healing and restoration of all the nation. Let’s pray for God’s salvation, deliverance and healing for all nation leaders and those in authority. Finally, let God protect them all, gives wisdom, guidance and direction!
Also read: PRAYER OF PETITION – Ultimate Prayer Guide
