Millions of Americans will gather May 2 to observe National Day of Prayer. Organizers expect the crowds to be unprecedented, far surpassing the millions who participated in some 30,000 events nationwide last year. Participants will gather at courthouses, businesses, around school flagpoles, at places of worship and in public arenas.
“The American psyche was rocked by the horrific evil perpetrated on Sept. 11 and many have sought meaning and spiritual comfort in its wake,” said Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Taskforce. “It’s no surprise that Americans have drawn closer to God as our country’s forefathers did when faced with unseen enemies and unrest.”
President George Bush will issue a presidential proclamation declaring May 2 to be a National Day of Prayer. Nearly all of the nation’s governors have also issued official proclamations for the day. (The lone holdout is Minnesota’s Gov. Jesse Ventura, who instead issued a “Certificate of Recognition.”)
Lloyd Ogilvie, chaplain of the U.S. Senate, has written a prayer to be read at noon. The prayer says, “Gracious God, all that we have and are is a result of Your amazing generosity. Since Sept. 11, in the battle against terrorism, we have discovered again that You truly are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We rededicate ourselves to be one nation under You. In You we trust. We reaffirm our accountability to You, to the absolutes of Your Commandments and to justice in our society.
Bless our president, Congress, and all our leaders with supernatural power. We commit ourselves to be faithful to You as Sovereign of our land and as our personal Lord and Savior.”
(EP)
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