“The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals.”
In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
Not only are we exhorted to submit in recognition of God’s sovereignty, but we are encouraged and exhorted to pray! “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” It is both our spiritual responsibility according to God’s Word and it is also our civic duty as a citizen or resident of this great nation to respond when we are called upon by our leaders. During times of war, we have rallied millions to defend our nation against a physical threat, how much more should we rise up to defend her against a spiritual one – the unseen enemy who seeks to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’ all that God has established and all those that follow Him.
As our nation struggles with foreign and domestic threats, economic insecurity, cultural tensions, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, citizens of the United States are preparing to heed the call by our elected leaders to rise to the occasion and exercise one of their most precious freedoms – the right to gather, turn to God, and pray. Will you respond to the call? Will you pray for America?
- Rev. Dion Elmore
