‘Powerful moment in our history’: Americans to gather for National Day of Prayer observances

May 2, 2024

Today marks the National Day of Prayer, an annual observance established in 1952 when President Truman signed a joint resolution of Congress setting aside the first Thursday in May as a day for Americans to turn to God in Prayer.

The Christian Post reports that the theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer broadcast is “Lift Up the Word – Light Up the World” and will reach millions of households across the nation.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force website states:

“The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.”

According to the website, U.S. presidents have made 150 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving since 1789. Observance of a National Day of Prayer is intended to transcend differences and bring people together from many different backgrounds.

The National Day of Prayer Website continues:

“Every year, local, state, and federal observances were held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for our nation. It is estimated that over two million people attended more than 30,000 observances — organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers. At state capitols, county courthouses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches and homes, people stopped their activities and gathered for prayer.” 

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