National Day of Prayer - May 7

Last year, throughout the nation, millions joined together on the First Thursday in May for the National Day of Prayer. Some believe the numbers were greater than ever before.

The National Day of Prayer leaders say the number of the public-invited events doubled from the previous year, 2007. In addition, there was more favor from local and state governments; more politicians who participated, more access to government buildings, and even more governors. All 50 governors signed National Day of Prayer proclamations. Many mayors participated.

There was a wider scope in the type of events as well: planes, motorcycles, children prayer walks, buses, train, IRS, NASA and police departments.

PrayerFlight - a group of Ohio based private pilots - organized "50 Capitols." These private pilots did 'prayer-flights' over all 50 state capitols, while praying for those states. Military pilots serving overseas and airline pilots and flight attendants were also organized to pray while airborne as well.

Prayer events occurred at past sites of recent tragedies such as: Minneapolis 35W Bridge Collapse, the New Life Church shooting site and the Virginia Tech shooting site. YMCAs and the Salvation Army held events around the nation. In Colorado Springs pastors from 27 denominations filled the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and prayed for the local community and our nation on the 75 minute trip up and back the 14,000 ft peak. In Alaska, a 300 mile prayer train traveled from Anchorage to Fairbanks. In Bakersfield, CA, 30 churches lengthened the National Day of Prayer to three days, highlighted by the formation of a human cross with red shirts.

Prayer events were held in 110 Federal Prisons, national monuments such as Mount Rushmore and the St. Louis Gateway Arch, military bases, stadiums, nursing homes, schools, town halls and in the Senate and Congressional chambers of many state capitols as well as the west lawn of our nation's capitol in Washington, DC. In rain, snow, sunshine or indoors tens of thousands of prayer events took place with every denomination and race present in all 50 states, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

There were prayer breakfasts, prayer walks, Bible reading marathons, motorcycle cavalcades, prayer at countless businesses, and even prayer balloon releases marked some of the creativity of our massive national network.

Governors in Minnesota, Texas, Louisiana, and the First Lady of Nevada spoke at their events and were prayed over by participants. Attorney Generals and Judges participated in many states. Michael Reagan, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Bill Bennett, and Focus on the Family promoted the event. At least 2500 stations nationally carried promotional spots. The event showed up on Facebook, My Space, YouTube, and GodTube. 18,340 military devotions were sent to encourage deployed soldiers.

Millions united in prayer from coast to coast and transformation is taking place in communites throughout America.

The 2009 National Day of Prayer is scheduled for May 7. Go to the National Day of Prayer website to register your event or download promotional materials.

Listen to this audio message.

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