Season of Prayer Starts May 5th
with the National Day of Prayer

By Emily Hagy

In the secular world, the 5th of May is synonymous with Cinco de Mayo. This year, the Mexican celebration has competition, and then some: A Season of Prayer beginning with The National Day of Prayer (NDP) on May 5th; followed by 10 days of prayer at various churches; leading up to the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) on May 15th; concluded by 90 Days of Blessing!

The Christian expression of the annual National Day of Prayer is celebrated in unity, calling upon our Heavenly Father, beseeching Him to instill in our leaders the wisdom and moral convictions necessary to successfully direct and govern our blessed nation in His will. The first National Day of Prayer was called by the Continental Congress in 1775 when they were drafting the design of this nation. If we still desire God’s will for this nation, it's time to pray, as did the early settlers led by our Founding Fathers. The Church must carry the country to God in prayer at this pivotal point in the history of our nation.

The St. Louis Community National Day of Prayer (SLCNDP) is a volunteer group of approximately 100 Christians who, through hosting prayer events, are wholeheartedly committed to promoting the importance and power of prayer, with a vision of REVIVAL within the Church, extending to non-believers. In the St. Louis metropolitan area volunteers will host over 30 mid-day city hall prayer events from Noon to 1 p.m. in the following communities: Ballwin, Belridge, Bella Villa, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Chesterfield, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Ellisville, Eureka, Fenton, Florissant, Glendale, Hazelwood, Kirkwood, University City, Valley Park, Webster Groves, Wildwood, Ladue, Lakeshire, Manchester, Maryland Heights, Northwoods, Richmond Heights, Rock Hill, Shrewsbury, Sunset Hills, Town & Country, and Twin Oaks.

Last year, the SLCNDP was called to host the Concert of Prayer at the America’s Center where some 3,000 Christians of all denominations prayed in one accord on the evening of the NDP. This year, we will meet again in the evening, uniting the entire Body of Christ in one large event called Pray St. Louis! at the America’s Center, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This year is unique in that the National Day of Prayer falls on Ascension Day and serves as a kick-off for a whole season of prayer resembling that illustrated in the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts recounts the birth of the Christian Church in the city of Jerusalem. After Jesus ascended into heaven, followers of Jesus prayed continually for ten days. Then, on Pentecost, God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church. After Pentecost, the Church experienced intense unity across racial and economic lines, filled the city with awe and wonder, sold possessions and gave to the poor, saw astounding growth and experienced the favor of the city.

After the National Day of Prayer on May 5th, St. Louis will go into ten days of prayer, as churches of various denominations open their doors for ecumenical gatherings. Members of the Christian community are encouraged to participate, uniting with brothers and sisters in Christ. Barriers will continue to come down during this period as the Church recognizes itself as the Bride that Christ is preparing for His return.

On Pentecost Sunday the 1st Annual Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) will be held. The GDOP is an invitation from Africa for the world to join in the amazing transformation that has developed in their nation over the past several years through their National Day of Prayer. What began as a grassroots effort to provide an opportunity for Christians in Africa to worship in a stadium, has grown phenomenally to more than 2,000 venues across 56 nations, with 23 million in attendance.

In St. Louis, Christians will gather at Busch Stadium from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to lift the Name of Jesus high above the heartland of America with the hope that the United States and the world will experience the same transformation that Africa has experienced so that all men might see and give God the Glory!

Immediately following the GDOP on Pentecost Sunday, the Church in St. Louis will begin 90 Days of Blessing. This is a time in which Christians are encouraged to enter a state of servitude, volunteering within their communities in the Name of Jesus in an effort to improve the quality of life for all. We want the world to know the love of Christ!

The metro St. Louis Season of Prayer Events are as follows:

* May 5th - The Annual National Day of Prayer mid-day city hall events and Pray St. Louis at the America's Center from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

* May 6-15th - Ten Days of Prayer at various locations.

* May 15th - 1st Annual Global Day of Prayer at Busch Stadium from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

* May 16-July 16 - 90 Days of Blessing.

Plan on participating in the upcoming Season of Prayer! You may visit the web sites at www.slcndp.org or call (314) 253-4075 for more information. The Global Day of Prayer website is www.praystl.com. Volunteers and monetary contributions are needed for both large prayer events. Please pray, and ask God how you can serve Him in this great harvest in the heartland of America!