The Greenfield Area National Day of Prayer observance will be held at the Greenfield City Building Plaza at noon Thursday, May 5. The theme is Wake Up America.
The Greenfield Ministerial Association is sponsoring the observance with the support of area churches and Christians. Local pastors, community leaders, and others will offer prayer for our nation, its governmental leaders, institutions, churches and families.
The event is free to the public.
George Washington stated in 1789: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.”
The early Christian apostle and missionary Paul wrote in 1 Timothy, Chapter 2, Verses 1-2: “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil life.”
Dr. Tony Evans, this year’s honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer, has written a Prayer for the Nation. In it he says: “Our hearts are broken over how You [God] continue to be marginalized and dismissed by both our people and our institutions. Our satisfaction in remaining religious without being fully committed to living out the truths of Your word has caused us to be co-conspirators with the forces of evil that are destroying us as a society.
“Enable us, by Your Spirit, to no longer be secret agent Christians, but rather to publicly declare and live out your truth in a spirit of love so that You feel welcome in our country once again.
“We confidently invite heaven’s intervention into all the affairs of our nation and we praise You in advance for Your answer.”
America’s Pledge of Allegiance recounts that we are, “One nation under God,” and our currency states that it is, “In God we trust.” We would like for Americans to place their faith in God who rules the world, including our country.
He is the one who gave us the promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As we humbly and diligently seek Him, we will see transformation in America through prayer.
This year’s theme verse from Isaiah 58:1a sets the tone for a call for revival of faith and trust in God: “Shout it aloud, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet.” It is the hope of those promoting this Day of Prayer that many people will make a serious effort to seek a closer relationship with God. And we pray that this will cause an improvement in the relationships with one another and a decline in crime, drug and abuse incidents in our community and country.
The first call for a National Day of Prayer was issued by the Continental Congress in 1775. Since that time American presidents have issued a proclamation for an annual Day of Prayer. In 1988, Congress set aside 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.
Across the country a variety of prayer observances will be held in almost every village, city and state. The National Day of Prayer Task Force was established in 1983 to encourage prayer, personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.
For further local information contact Joseph Cunningham at 937-981-3168, [email protected] or P.O. Box 361, Greenfield, Ohio 45123.
For National Day of Prayer information, including events across the nation during the year, visit www.NationalDayofPrayer.org or call 1-800-444-8828.
The Rev. Joseph Cunningham is the secretary/treasurer of the Greenfield Area Ministerial Association.
