#PrayForUnity – National Day of Prayer

by | Apr 30, 2018 | Prayer

Prayer Place

Governor Pete Ricketts signed the 2018 National Day of Prayer Proclamation, declaring May 3rd a day of prayer in Nebraska. We invite you to join NFA, Senator Dan Watermeier, and Governor Pete Ricketts to pray for our communities, state, and nation on the National Day of Prayer at the Nebraska State Capitol.

THURSDAY MAY 3, 2018

12:00 – 1:00PM

STATE CAPITOL WARNER CHAMBER

1445 K ST. LINCOLN, NE 68509

Because of the faith of many of our founding fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a long-standing and significant history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983).

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863.

In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.

The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people.

Like Thanksgiving or Christmas, this day has become a national observance placed on all Hallmark calendars and observed annually across the nation and in Washington, D.C. Every year, local, state, and federal observances were held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for our nation.

It is estimated that over two million people attend more than 30,000 observances – organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers. At state capitols, county courthouses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches, and homes, people stop their activities and gather for prayer. Join us this year!

Not able to come to Lincoln? Look for a prayer observance near you: NationalDayofPrayer.org

Karen Bowling

Karen Bowling

Executive Director
When Karen isn't fulfilling her duties as the Executive Director of NFA, leading a women's Bible study, or coordinating a prayer meeting, she's usually with her five grandchildren that keep her busy, laughing, and young at heart.