NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

PRAYER DAY EVENTS

Today was the 58th annual National Day Of Prayer, the theme this year is "prayer America's Hope". A national day of prayer has been a part of our heritage since 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming our nation. President Lincoln proclaimed a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer for the country in 1863. In 1952 President Truman signed a joint resolution of Congress declaring an annual Day of Prayer. In 1988 President Reagan permanently set that day as the first Thursdays of May each year.

Today millions of Americans came together at churches, courthouses and government buildings to pray for our nation, state and community leaders. Specifically the "seven centers of power" : government, church, education, media, family, business and military were lifted up in prayer.

Many times over the last eight months it has been said that the U.S. is in the worst economic times since the 1930's. On top of that we face military engagements in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly Pakistan. We are constantly on guard and at war with terrorists and drug cartels. There are times that it seems our whole way of life as we have known it is under attack and slipping away.

Yet for most of us Americans who work and live in foreign countries, especially "Third World"countries we know how blessed as a country we really are. We have freedom of religion, freedom speech and protest, democratically elected officials, strong military, the best economy in the world, great schools, roads and so much more to be thankful about. Is our country just lucky or is there much more behind our blessings?

During our Constitutional Convention when things were going so poorly Benjamin Franklin addressed the delegates with these words. " There is convincing proof that God governs in the affairs of men. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it possible an empire can rise without His aid? I therefore beg that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and it's blessings on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business."

Today our local community wide services started with a prayer breakfast at one of our city churches and continued through out the day. At six p.m. another church service was concluded by the assembly walking to the courthouse and hand in hand completely surrounding it with 15 minutes of prayer. I agree with the wisdom of Mr. Franklin that God does indeed govern in the affairs of man. If we as a country still desire His blessings we better get down on our knees in prayer more often and in greater numbers. In God's love, Steve