Welcome to the National Day of Prayer. We thank you for volunteering your time and effort for this important cause.

And what exactly is this cause, some may ask?

Is it the cause of fanatics?

No, rather it is the cause of concerned citizens of America. It is concern for the spiritual health of this nation. You are gathered here because you believe that the course of this country can change. That unrighteous laws can be eradicated; that precious life can be protected; that the Spirit of God can sweep this land in revival!

Others may ask: is this the cause of the historically illiterate?

On the contrary! We know our history. In fact, the truth of history is being suppressed in America. The real question is whether the leaders in America—in politics, in the media, in the schools—know of the Christian roots of this nation? Of the religious reasons of Plymouth & Massachusetts? Of election day sermons? Of the churchly influence upon the politics of yesteryear?

Days of prayer and fasting were not uncommon in the early days of our country. The continental Congress called for them; presidents urged them; churches lead them. Public acknowledgement of God’s power and mercy were not uncommon either. George Washington’s first inaugural address declared:

“…it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect…No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.”

“But that was then this is now!” some would protest. However, even in the Twentieth century, presidents publicly acknowledged America’s dependence upon God Above. Eisenhower’s First Inaugural Address unashamedly prayed:

“Almighty God…Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land.”

It was president Eisenhower himself that signed into law a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Reagan signed a bill decreeing that the National Day of Prayer be held on the first Thursday of May. Given the Christian heritage in Western Civilization, these actions make sense. We, Christians, especially take to heart this day of prayer because we take the Word of God, the Bible, seriously. We pray for leaders in accordance with 1 Tim. 2:2: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Likewise, Proverbs 16:12 states a universal truth: “It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.”

Let us make this clear to our fellow man: It is not mere nationalism that brings us today, but genuine concern for the spiritual life of our families, friends, neighbors & churches.

This is our calling as Christians: to pray for our fellow men; to love our fellow men; to show them Christ, praying that the Spirit would draw them to the Father. We must not forget the Scriptural exhortation of James 5:16: “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” And yet, we readily feel and confess that our righteousness is as filthy rags; that our moral perfections are but moths before the Son of Righteousness. So, it is Christ’s righteousness we plead; His moral perfection we cling to; His priestly intercession and prayers that we covet. We pray for others on the basis of Christ’s prayer for us.

And although our prayers include the physical, economic and political health of this country, our ultimate prayer for these United States is guided by Philippians 2:9-11:

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ^10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ^11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Amen.

[Presented at the Auraria Campus in Denver, CO]