Today's DAR
Today, the first Thursday of May, is designated the National Day of Prayer. The theme for 2020 is to “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth” and the accompanying scripture is Habakkuk 2:14 NIV “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
The National Day of Prayer is a day of religious observance in the United States of America when people of all faiths are asked to pray for our country. The first official day of prayer occurred in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the public to fast and pray for the leadership of the Colonies. Historically, in the Colonies, traditional observances in late fall called for prayer and thanksgiving, while observances in the spring or summer called for prayer and fasting. Abraham Lincoln made the fall observance official by establishing Thanksgiving Day in 1863.
The spring observance became official when it was signed into law in 1952 by Harry S. Truman establishing the National Day of Prayer. Title 36, Section 119 of U.S. law states, “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.”
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, please join with the citizens of our country to pray on this designated day. While much in our lives has been disrupted, we can continue to thank God for our nation, our homes, family, friends, food, people responsible for the technology that keeps us connected, Daughters making masks, and countless people volunteering in many other ways.There are so many people who are affected by this situation who need our loving, supportive petitions to God: medical professionals, public health officials, first responders, those who have lost jobs or businesses, our elected officials to have wisdom in decision making, our military, students of all ages and their teachers, the lonely, and so many others. No matter where we are, or what we are doing, we can all raise our voices in prayer for our Nation and her people on this day.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
