Today was the National Day of Prayer.

The National Day of Prayer is an old tradition dating back to the Continental Congress. However, the law establishing it was not enacted until 1952. There have also been long periods of time in our history when presidents did not make a proclamation of a National Day of Prayer.

During the Korean War a call was made by Billy Graham for a National Day of Prayer to be officially established. A bill was presented to President Truman by the legislature in 1952. President Truman signed the bill that required subsequent presidents to proclaim a National Day of Prayer each year.

The bill signed in 1952 did not set a date, but the bill was updated in 1988 to set a fixed date.

36 U.S.C. § 119

The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.

One of the things that I find interesting in the bill is where the people are to turn to God in prayer and meditation.

According to the bill it is at churches, in groups, and as individuals that we are to pray or meditate. This makes me think of the admonition that we are given in the New Testament.

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:5-6 ESV

It is good that we have a National Day of Prayer, but we should be careful how we conduct ourselves on this day. It should not be a day of public prayer that may alienate those who do not believe the same way that we do, but rather a day of private prayer in churches, groups or as individuals.

There is much to pray for in our nation today and we should make sure we are praying every day and not just on this National Day of Prayer. We need to pray not only for our current leaders but also for those who are currently running for office. We should also pray for the citizens of our nation as we select new leaders. Pray that they will make wise decisions at the polls. We also need to pray for ourselves that we will be subject to the governing authorities that are selected.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Romans 13:1-5 ESV

 The three church buildings in this post have connections to my family. See my post Religion in Family History to find out more about them.

Steven