Today is the 60th annual National Day of Prayer, traditionally held on the first Thursday in May.The National Day Prayer was established by an act of Congress in 1952, requiring the US presidents to proclaim a National Day of Prayer each year. This law was ruled to be unconstitutional’ by a US judge in 2010 following legal action from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, putting Government support of the annual observance at risk.
This day almost didn’t happen, but President Obama declared it in his proclamation which you can read here:President Obama Issues Day of Prayer Proclamation
The National Day of Prayer encourages Americans to pray for the nation, the American people and all in authority. This year’s theme is ‘A Mighty Fortress for Our God’ based on Psalm 91.2 — “I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
May the National Day of Prayer bring Americans a renewed sense of purpose and confidence, not only in our leaders, but in our promise as a nation. May it bring us the courage to judge each other with mercy and fairness, both at home and abroad. And may it bring us comfort from the tragedies of natural disaster and economic devastation. We also hope that the very act of the National Day of Prayer might bring the nation blessings as well. A moment in which people join together as a nation, setting aside disagreements and differences in order to come together to pray for the best interests of our nation, is sorely needed. Our President even attribute his faith life to guide him. You can watch him describe his faith and its place in his life in President Obama Says His Christian Faith Sustains Him [VIDEO]
In Christian and Jewish traditions, the Sabbath is observed as a periodic rest from labor, an opportunity to reflect and refocus. The National Day of Prayer offers a similar opportunity to pause from our labors and consider again who we are, what we believe, and who we want to be.
It is today we think about all the hundreds of people who lost their lives in this country for this country. Every drop of blood shed on our land calls for a moment to think about them and be thankful prayerfully.
As President Obama visits Ground Zero , we should turn our hearts to pray for all those who were lost on September 11, 2001. It’s been 10 years but we have not, nor will we ever for get them. God Bless America.
