National Day of Prayer observed May 3
May 1, 2012 by Staff
Filed under Communities, Events, General, Happenings, Lester Prairie
From: Helen Bunge
New Germany
Thursday, May 3 is the 61st annual National Day of Prayer. NDP was created by an act of Congress to be the first Thursday of May.
Shirley Dobson, chairman of NDP Task Force says, “Prayer is crucial to the future of our nation.” She refers to 2 Chronicles 7:14, where the Lord proclaims, “If my people who call on my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven. I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land.”
The NDP Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of this national observance based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible. As our country faces natural disasters, culture’s pervasive moral decline, and war on terror, all these circumstances can be overwhelming. How important it is that we publicly acknowledge our dependence on God.
The NDP theme for 2012 is “One Nation Under God,” based on the Bible truth found in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
The NDP Task Force will sponsor thousands of National Day of Prayer gatherings in our USA on this day, as well as an observance on Capitol Hill. Dr. David Jeremiah has joined Shirley Dobson to help lead the nation in prayer as the honorary chairman. This is the prayer Dr. Jeremiah wrote:
“Heavenly Father, every good gift and perfect gift comes from You. You are a faithful God and Your mercy endures forever.
“You have promised to bless the nation that trusts in You. Our currency proclaims “In God We Trust,” but in our culture, we are far from You.
“In the words of the prophet Daniel, ‘We have sinned and committed iniquity, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgement.’
We come before You once more, seeking Your forgiveness and mercy. You, O God, are our only Hope . . . Hear our prayer and, for Your honor’s sake, shine Your face upon this nation.
“Give our leaders the desire to seek Your wisdom and the courage to follow Your guidance . . . and watch over the men and women of our Armed Forces as they sacrifice for the cause of freedom.
“We give you thanks for all You have done for us, and we earnestly pray that You will help us become, once again, a nation whose God is the Lord.
“In the name of Your son, and our Savior, we pray this prayer. Amen.”
