The 64th annual National Day of Prayer is expected to have its largest number of participants in over 60 years Thursday as political and religious leaders join local residents in praying for the nation. “We are anticipating the largest day of prayer from coast to coast with more than 43,000 prayer gatherings,” John Bornschein, vice chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and an executive member of the National Prayer Committee, said. “This coming year marks the 64th anniversary of this important day and we fully expect that the president will sign a proclamation as well as all 50 state governors. Already nearly 40 proclamations have been received and counting.”
For this year, the theme of the widely observed Day of Prayer will be “Lord, Hear Our Cry” and is accompanied by the Bible verse 1 Kings 8:28, which reads “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” Bornschein elaborated on the theme, saying it emphasizes “the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men.” “We believe that God can bring about another great awakening in our nation if we humble ourselves and pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways,” said Bornschein.
Begun in 1952 as an act approved by the U.S. Congress, the National Day of Prayer has been observed for over six decades. Presidents across the political spectrum have signed proclamations in support of the date, calling upon Americans to pray for the benefit of the nation. Bornschein concludes his comments by stating “The Almighty is waiting for Americans to turn back to Him in a posture of prayer and repentance. May we, this day, determine to surrender our ways to Him, giving God the honor He deserves so that, as Psalm 85 states, ‘His glory may dwell in our land.'”
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