ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer.

In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer, and in 1988, the first Thursday in May was designated as the National Day of Prayer.

Through seven decades, the efforts of the National Day of Prayer Task Force have mobilized to observe this day of prayer in all 50 states and in U.S. territories and intercede for the nation.

The president is required by law to sign a proclamation each year encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.

This year marks the 75th annual NDP, arriving in the same season America commemorates the 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth. Many, including local NDP coordinator Cindy Hall, feel this convergence is not accidental.

“It is providential — a sacred invitation from God, calling His people to humility, repentance and a renewed dependence on Him,” she said.

The theme chosen by the NDP Task Force this year is “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations,” from the scripture found in I Chronicles 16:24, “Tell of His Glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.”

Locally, NDP is sponsored by the Liberal Ministerial Alliance and promoted by local churches, organizations, city and county government, businesses and individuals.

The event will take place Thursday at the Light Park pavilion gazebo at 11th and Kansas. The time this year has changed to evening from 6 to 8 p.m. instead of noon. This is a live event, and the public is encouraged to attend.

“The evening time should allow for many more to attend and participate, especially those in the workplace and schools,” Hall said.

There will be a time of fellowship following the program with barbecue and desserts provided by local churches. The event will livestream on the LMA and Leader & Times Facebook pages and shared on many church and individual Facebook pages and other media sources.

With many major events happening in America and around the globe, Hall said the need for prayer continues to increase. She mentioned many of the events such as the current U.S. conflict with Iran, America’s border situation and homeland security, as well as advancement of the Islamic agenda and attacks on the country’s Christian biblical foundations.

“Locally, within the body of Christ, the church, I believe we need unity,” she said. “We do have different political opinions and beliefs. Most of our doctrinal beliefs are very similar. We have one God, one Lord and one purpose for the kingdom of God, but there is division, and we need to have unity.”

Hall said scripture tells Christians should be of one body, one God, one Father and one Spirit.

“We should be of one mind and love and of the same purpose, and I think that is the greatest need within the church and within our community,” she said.

In recent years, Hall said prayers have created major progress with issues.

“We have seen things within our city government and organizations, changes with the identity of Liberal, coming back to the original identity and foundation of that spirit of generosity,” she said. “That’s important because it’s biblically based.”

Hall said LMA likewise has made major strides in area schools.

“The Ministerial Alliance has favor, and we were able to go to every single one of the schools —the elementary schools, the preschools, even the high school, the college and the vo-tech, in Turpin and Tyrone — before school started and pray with individuals who were there in leadership, over the classrooms,” she said. “Prayer is back in and welcomed in the schools. That was major. That was God. We have seen also in the community, there’s a coming together and uniting within the church body, the family of God, the cultures with the Hispanics and the Anglos. There is revival going on, but we want it to continue through transforming our community throughout the area.”

Tuesday, Liberal Mayor Jeff Parsons issued a proclamation commending the observance of NDP to the community and requesting prayers be lifted up throughout the city with every generation seeking the Lord to rededicate lives, the city and the nation to the glory of God.

Hall said this is just some of the support from the community for NDP.

“There’s support within the church body and the body of Christ,” she said. “A lot of business owners are more vocal about expressing their faith. There’s a growth. Some of the churches are experiencing growth and expansion, and I think individuals from the body of Christ being more involved in all of those centers of influence, including the political and government.”

The individuals presenting at the event are people of Christian faith within the community, representing all of the centers of influence and include several high school students and the younger generation.

“We will open with presentation of colors, Pledge of Allegiance and song followed by prayers of repentance, thanksgiving, worship and petition to God on behalf of the church, the U.S., Israel, the persecuted church, revival, community transformation, upcoming elections, governmental leaders and the different demographics within the family,” Hall said. “There will be Spanish interpretation for the theme and opening prayers and full prayer guides in English and Spanish.”

The national broadcast will be at 7 p.m. Central time from US Capitol on YouTube, Facebook, Christian TV, radio and other digital platforms. Faith leaders and national leaders will join NDP President Kathy Branzell.

More information can be found at www.nationaldayofprayer.org. Sunday, May 17, the National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving will be at the National Mall hosted by Freedom 250 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time and will be livestreamed nationwide through partner churches, ministries and organizations.