Today is the National Day of Prayer, now designated as the first Thursday in May each year. Long before, came the presidential proclamation, which we reaffirm here today.
You can read Proclamation 97—Appointing a Day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer By the President of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln attached here:
A couple of highlights, Lincoln writes:
And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.
We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.
It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.
And I do hereby request all the People to abstain, on that day, from their ordinary secular pursuits, and to unite, at their several places of public worship and their respective homes, in keeping the day holy to the Lord, and devoted to the humble discharge of the religious duties proper to that solemn occasion.
What would our nation be today had we actually done that every year since?
Please note: I am NOT advocating the common ecumenical gathering at the courthouse events. We recommend you gather at your church, or your home, with those who will pray together. What our country needs most is repentance for our many transgressions against the Holy Word of God, and these city-wide events typically do not focus praying this way.
Prayers of the Founding Fathers
From our nations founding, We The People have offered prayers for her and for those in government. It is also true that our founding fathers offered prayers. Today we recite two from George Washington and one from Thomas Jefferson in the PrayerPodcast.
Praying with others today? Would you give this a
Praying for our Nations Government
Here are 7 prayers for our earthly government; and asking for the Lord's kingdom here.
If this has blessed you, then you can bless us. We are reader supported only, and we are looking for pray-ers, just like you, who do actually pray!
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
These are prayers for revival in the church and across the land:
Thursday - Acts 6:7- Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Friday - Acts 12:24- But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Saturday - Acts 14:27 - they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Sunday - Acts 19:20- So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.
Until Monday, grace and peace…
A Day of National Praying