‘One Nation Under God’ suggested as National Day of Prayer theme

The Layman, Posted Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Millions of Americans will bow their heads in prayer for the nation during the National Day of Prayer on Thursday.

Initiated by Congress and signed into law by President Harry S Truman in 1952, the day of prayer has been celebrated 59 times and proclaimed by every U.S. president since Truman. 

“On this National Day of Prayer, we give thanks for our democracy that respects the beliefs and protects the religious freedom of all people to pray, worship or abstain according to the dictates of their conscience,” states the 2012 proclamation signed by President Barack Obama. 

“Let us pray for all the citizens of our great nation, particularly those who are sick, mourning or without hope and ask God for the sustenance to meet the challenges we face as a nation,” the proclamation reads. 

According to the National Day of Prayer Task Force, the suggested theme will be “One Nation Under God.” The theme is based on Psalm 33:12, which states: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance (NIV).”

“At this perilous and uncertain juncture in our country’s history, it is critical that we remain in prayer.  The American people continue to be plagued with challenges that defy simple answers, and our hope lies in humbly seeking the Almighty’s guidance, protection and blessing – not only on the National Day of Prayer, but throughout the year,” said NDP chairman Shirley Dobson in a press release.

The task force offers an online search to find local NDP events.

 

Christian author and pastor David Jeremiah will serve as this year’s honorary chairman for the task force and will deliver the keynote address at a national observance in Washington D.C. on Thursday.

NDP historians note that, while there have been calls to national prayer since the founding of the nation – including a noted one by President Abraham Lincoln at the height of the Civil War in 1863 – the day wasn’t officially codified until 1952. 

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed an amended version of the 1952 prayer law, officially establishing the day of prayer as the first Thursday of each May. 

“Prayer has always been a part of the American story, and today countless Americans rely on prayer for comfort, direction and strength, praying not only for themselves, but for their communities, their country, and the world,” Obama stated in the 2012 proclamation.