The National Day of Prayer will be taking place on May 7 at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill, with Dr. Jack Graham, the lead pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church as the Honorary Chairman.
The event is an annual event that began in 1952 with a joint resolution of the Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman, and takes place the first Thursday of May each year.
"The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and can be celebrated by all Americans," the event website states.
The theme for this year's event is, "Lord, Hear Our Cry," based on 1 Kings 8:28, in which King Solomon prays, "Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day."
"Kingdoms and nations throughout all history have risen and fallen on prayer," Graham said in a video statement. "The reason is seen in Psalm 103:19, which proclaims, God's kingdom is the one kingdom, the one and only kingdom that rules over all others. And amazingly, prayer connects us, gives us a welcome audience with Almighty God--the one true God who reigns over every ruler, every authority and nation."
"Prayer enables us to actually with God and takes us into the presence of Jesus our Lord," he continued.
"Throughout my life, my heart has been changed through prayer," stated Darrell Waltrip, a 3-time NASCAR champion. "And if it can change one heart, then it can change the heart of a nation.
The National Day of Prayer is expected to feature a proclamation from President Obama, as the President makes a statement at each year's National Day of Prayer.
"I invite the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, for our many freedoms and blessings, and I join all people of faith in asking for God's continued guidance, mercy, and protection as we seek a more just world," President Obama stated in last year's proclamation.
In addition, leaders from the armed forces and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are expected to be present. Christian leaders will also be leading prayer topics interceding on behalf of the nation on various areas including education and family.
The event will take place from 9 AM to 12 PM EST, and can be streamed online at http://nationaldayofprayer.org/national-observance/.
The following is this year's National Prayer, written by Graham and to be read aloud at the National Day of Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come to You in the Name that is above every name"”Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our hearts cry out to You.
Knowing that You are a prayer-answering, faithful God"”the One we trust in times like these"”we ask that You renew our spirits, revive our churches, and heal our land.
We repent of our sins and ask for Your grace and power to save us. Hear our cry, oh God, and pour out Your Spirit upon us that we may walk in obedience to Your Word. We are desperate for Your tender mercies. We are broken and humbled before You. Forgive us, and in the power of Your great love, lift us up to live in Your righteousness. We pray for our beloved nation. May we repent and return to You and be a light to the nations. And we pray for our leaders and ask that You give them wisdom and faith to follow You. Preserve and protect us, for You are our refuge and only hope. Deliver us from all fears except to fear You, and may we courageously stand in the Truth that sets us free. We pray with expectant faith and grateful hearts. In Jesus' name, our Savior.
Amen.
