As I consider some of the issues dividing our nation, to be honest, some of those issues seem irreconcilable. People are concerned; people are concerned about the future of our country and our world. It feels like there is little we as common citizens can do.  

But actually, there is something we can do, something with the potential to bring tremendous power into play. We can pray. A Bible verse often cited this time of year is 2 Chronicles 7:14, “and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NASB95). It is cited this time of year because National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday of May each year.  

Here’s a brief history of the National Day of Prayer. When the Continental Congress was forming our new nation in 1775, they set aside time for prayer. There were many times since then when calls to prayer were issued, such as one from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. President Harry S. Truman signed a bill into law on April 17, 1952 proclaiming a National Day of Prayer be observed July 4th of that year. According to that law the president must proclaim a National Day of Prayer each year. President Ronald Reagan moved the observance to the first Thursday of May in 1988.  

Freedom from Religion Foundation Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor stated, “Congress and the president of the United States have no business telling me or any other citizen to pray, ‘to turn to God in prayer at churches,’ much less setting aside an entire day for prayer every year and even telling me what to pray about,” and a lawsuit was filed. In April of 2010 federal judge Barbara Crabb declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. Judge Crabb stated that it, “goes beyond mere ‘acknowledgement’ of religion because its sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function in this context.” 

However, President Obama proclaimed a National Day of Prayer that year, saying, “In prayer, we have expressed gratitude and humility, sought guidance and forgiveness, and received inspiration and assistance, both in good times and in bad.” His administration appealed the ruling, arguing that “the National Day of Prayer was legal because it simply acknowledged the role of religion in the United States.” The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit essentially said the National Day of Prayer proclamation causes no injury because people are free to simply ignore it, and overturned judge Crabb’s ruling, and the National Day of Prayer continues.  

2 Chronicles 7:14 is calling God’s people, not the general population, to humble themselves, to repent of their sin, and to pray. If the people of faith see the need and desire for God to intervene in our nation, it starts with and in us! National Day of Prayer is May 5th this year. I hope all who embrace belief in God will exercise our freedom, and pray for our nation, not only May 5th, but every day!

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Dan Krahenbuhl is pastor of Monroe Bible Church.