Dear Church Family,

“Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations.”

      We have many important events in May, but none is more important during this time in our nation’s history than May 7, 2026—The National Day of Prayer.  The prayer theme for this year is, “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” 1 Chronicles 16:24 NASB.  In 2026, our theme is inspired by a passionate prayer of Thanksgiving, prayed by King David in 1 Chronicles 16 after bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. 

      Days of national prayer have been common in our nation’s history since 1775 when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.  Since then, various presidents have called our nation to prayer in times of national crisis as well as in times of thanksgiving.  However, it was not until April 17, 1952, that a bill initiated by Mr. Conrad Hilton of Hilton Hotels and Senator Frank Carlson of Kansas was passed proclaiming an annual National Day of Prayer.  Their bill stated that the President of the United States should set aside an appropriate day each year, other than Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer.  Just a few months later that summer, President Harry Truman proclaimed the first National Day of Prayer to be observed on the fourth of July,1952.  Although the fourth of July seemed like an appropriate day to designate as the National Day of Prayer, lawmakers could not agree to that date.  Finally, after years of debate through the legislative process, it was on May 8, 1988, that President Ronald Regan signed into law that the first Thursday in May be observed as the official annual National Day of Prayer in the United States.

      We are incredibly grateful that our national leadership has recognized the important need of prayer for our nation.  The National Day of Prayer helps us to remember and pass on how our founding fathers sought the wisdom of Almighty God when confronting critical decisions.  The National Day of Prayer is a rallying call for us as a nation to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance and His grace upon us.

      Each year the National Day of Prayer finds our nation in more and more desperate need of God’s help.  This year we find ourselves in a war with Iran, political division that threatens the foundation of our nation, and a society that has lost its moral compass.  The unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17 seems so far away.  Now is not the time to lose heart.  It is the time to pray for our Nation and each other.  The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans.  It is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds.  Mrs. Shirley Dobson, National Day of Prayer emeritus, reminded us, “We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep.  I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom too.”

      This Thursday, May 7, please join the millions of voices lifted in prayer for our precious nation.  Let your heart and mind be in a prayerful attitude and ask others to pray for our nation on the National Day of Prayer.  

                                                       Pastor Ricky