53rd Annual National Day of Prayer
Launches 1st Annual Global Day of Prayer
By Emily Hagy

On Thursday, May 5th, 2005, the nation celebrates the 53rd annual National Day of Prayer. The Judeo-Christian theme for 2005 is “God Shed His Grace on Thee.” Prayer was the pathway that led our founding fathers to the design of this great nation. The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for Americans to continue on that same path, humbly uniting corporately to praise God and beseech Him to provide our leaders with the moral conviction and wisdom necessary to direct our blessed nation.

In 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed into law an annual National Day of Prayer that was passed in Congress by joint resolution. In 1988, the law was amended designating the first Thursday in May as the annual National Day of Prayer, signed by President Ronald Reagan. Today, Mrs. Shirley Dobson serves as Chairperson of the Judeo-Christian expression of the National Day of Prayer. There are approximately 40,000 volunteers nationwide who are commissioned to uphold the sanctity of prayer, and have an unrelenting passion to unite brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. The SLCNDP Task Force is diligently organizing mid-day prayer events at 30 metro-area city halls, and are delighted to host one large evening event called “Pray St. Louis!” inviting the entire church of St. Louis to pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord. The SLCNDP vision is REVIVAL in the heartland as more people pray more - every day!

This year, the National Day of Prayer falls on Ascension Day. The last words Jesus spoke on earth directed us to wait to receive the Holy Spirit, after which He ascended into heaven. The church then joined together constantly in prayer until, on the day of Pentecost, they were all together in one place and suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit. The First Annual Global Day of Prayer will take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005. The Global Day of Prayer began as an invitation from Africa for the world to join in a transformation, or revival, which they have been experiencing for the past few years. In St. Louis, various designated churches will host prayer services for ten consecutive days between the National and Global Day of Prayer, allowing the church to join together constantly in prayer until the day of Pentecost. A Global Day of Prayer Event at one location in the metro area is also in the planning stages. Following the Global Day of Prayer, there will be “90 days of blessing”, in which Christians are encouraged to assume a state of servitude in their communities, in the name of Jesus.

Throughout the history of the United States, the enemy of God has plotted to dismantle the Christian foundation on which our nation was built. The media lures us with the promise of pleasure and happiness when we relinquish ourselves to the temptation of the product or conduct that is being flaunted.

The modern voice of reason proclaims that we must agree with and endorse all lifestyles, or be accused of ignorance, hate and intolerance. Actually, it is the accuser who is intolerant of the presence of God who lives in us. Special interest groups have asserted that the Ten Commandments must come down in all public places as they are imposing and ignite exclusivity. The clear objective of the enemy is to infiltrate every aspect of American life on the premise that no god is greater than another, or better yet “no god” is greater than any god. The Declaration of Independence states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” We cannot afford to slumber, for the sake of souls in this one great nation, still “under God.” We must not forsake our constitutional right to call upon our Lord and Savior; individually and corporately, privately and publicly. This nation literally leads the world at this point in time, but we are spiritually hanging in the balance. We desperately need transformation. We need revival. We need an awakening. Pray, plead, beseech the Lord God Almighty for forgiveness, and then turn from evil and run into the loving arms of the Father, who runs to greet you!

Please pray fervently for spiritual revival and a complete awakening of the Body of Christ in the heartland and nation! The SLCNDP and GDOP teams are seeking Christian volunteers from all denominations to contribute their time and expertise in a variety of functions essential to the success of the various upcoming prayer events. Volunteer forms are accessible from the SLCNDP website. Financial contributions are immensely appreciated as the cost of hosting a large event is exorbitant. A fundraising dinner for Pray St. Louis! with guest speaker Dr. Henry Blackaby is scheduled for Friday, March 18 at the Sheraton Westport Hotel. Tickets may still be available, call (314) 253-4075.

For more information about the St. Louis Community National Day of Prayer, please visit the website at www.slcndp.org. The Global Day of Prayer website is www.globaldayofprayer.com.