White House photo 2/5/09 by Pete Souza
The theme of this year's 58th annual National Day of Prayer is: "Prayer...America's Hope". It's based upon a prayer from Psalms 33:22 "May your unfailing love rest upon us, Oh Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
On May 7th, Americans from the east coast to the west coast are gathering together in churches, coliseums, homes, schools, and city halls; sunrise to sun set, lifting up their voices together to pray "May you unfailing love rest upon us, Oh Lord, even as we put our trust in you."
According to The National Day of Prayer official website, "The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation. 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." The site claims that the day actually dates back to 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to go to God in prayer to seek his wisdom in their endeavors to form the nation.
Christian leaders say that our founding fathers called for times of prayer on many occasions, and they were praying to God, the creator, and also Jesus Christ.
Is the day of prayer, then, a day only for Christians, or, as President Obama 'hopes', a day when all religions and faiths can come together under the same banner and seek to help uplift each other, and those in need.
"We know too that whatever our differences, there is one law that binds all great religions together. Jesus told us to "love thy neighbor as thyself." The Torah commands, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow." In Islam, there is a hadith that reads "None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." And the same is true for Buddhists and Hindus; for followers of Confucius and for humanists. It is, of course, the Golden Rule – the call to love one another; to understand one another; to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth." - From President Barack Obama, at the National Prayer Breakfast. Thursday, February 5th, 2009
In the prayer breakfast held at the Washington Hilton, Obama shared a little of his own family history of faith with the thousands in attendants, including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who was key note speaker, and a handful of other foreign leaders. In few words he recalled how hisgrandparents were Baptist and Methodist, but didn't really practice it, his father was a Muslim by birth but ended up an atheist, and mother was "skeptical of organized religion" but was a very kind and spiritual woman. Obama himself became a Christian some time later after college.
With all of the President's hope for an America that is a faith-united county, is this what the people want? Can we all holds hands and pray together on this special day and honor each others spiritual beliefs, religious traditions, and various gods. Some think it is a silly thought, and an impossible one.
One local Pastor told me that he believes "It is his duty, as the President, to unite people under the banner of America; as fellow Americans, maybe even as brothers in humanity, but to ask us to honor, accept, or partake in worship to all 'gods' is ridiculous. Millions of Christians have died, and thousands still do, in many countries, because of their faith in one God, and his son Jesus Christ, the only way to eternal life."
There is no doubt that our country needs hope. With the spread of H1N1, job seeker publications looking more like micro fiction newsletters, terrorism, corporatescandal, and food riots breaking out across the border, America needs hope for the future. America needs someone, something, to put their hope in, and according to James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, there will be an estimated 40,000 events uniting Christians all over America, as they confirm their faith, and hope in the Lord.
What do you think?
Can Christians share the prayer room with all faiths?
Is it even biblical to consider a fellowship of faiths?
Drop me a line and tell me what you think?
If you like to get involved in this year's National Day of Prayer events happening in Wichita, here are a few options:
- Heartland Prayer Luncheon/ 11:30-1:pm/ contact David Griffith davidg@htks.net
- West Evangelical Free Church- Open Prayer/1161 N. Maize Rd. 11:am-11:45am/6:00pm-6:45pm/ 6:00pm-7:00pm/ contact westefc@westefc.org
- Pray Wichita 'Operation Rolling Thunder 24/7'/Century II/7:00pm-9:00pm/ contact Donna Lippoldt kansasfamilycouncil@cox.net
- Children from local area schools come together for Bible reading and worship. 8:00am - Noon/ Wichita Historical Courthouse/ Anna Liggett anna.kfpc@cox.net
- www.Nationaldayofprayer.com : learn more about the N.D.O.P. and what is happening around the nation.
- www.ndoftf.org : Find events, history, and more info, including fun facts about the day.
Video about the National Day of Prayer
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