When our country was founded, the Continental Congress of 1775 asked the colonies to pray for wisdom. Our forefathers recognized the significance and importance of prayer as a part of making decisions and working together as a unified country. Prayer is a freedom we should never take for granted, and as a country, our presidents have supported the importance of prayer.
In 1952, the National Day of Prayer became an annual event, recognized by Congress in a joint resolution and signed into law by President Truman. The law was amended and the first Thursday of May designated for the National Day of Prayer by President Reagan in 1988.
Since then, over two million people have attended over 30,000 observances for prayers, which have been coordinated by over 40,000 volunteers. This year, we observe the National Day of Prayer on May 3rd.
The theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer is “Pray for America- Unity” and it’s based on Ephesians 4:3*, which reads, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Make plans to participate in the National Day of Prayer. The First Baptist Church in Kernersville will have a National Day of Prayer Breakfast that begins at 6::30 AM, with a 45-minute program beginning at 7 AM. Visit ymcanwnc.org/program/2018-national-day-of-prayer-breakfast to learn more.
*NLT translation
2018 NATIONAL PRAYER 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 have 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
