WASHINGTON — Two weeks from today, millions of Americans across all 50 states will gather in churches, local businesses, the steps of city halls, schools, neighborhoods and public gathering places for a day of public prayer for the United States of America. In one voice, they will lift their single prayer request: unity in America.
Thursday, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer. It will be the 30th annual observance since President Ronald Reagan signed the amended law designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. The observance was first created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
“I cannot think of another moment more appropriate for America to come together and pray for unity in our nation,” said Ronnie Floyd, president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
“We are living through a crucial time in our country’s history. If we do not find the resolve to come together and confront the issues fracturing our communities and dividing our country, we will not find the peace and healing we desperately need. One thing is clear: politics will not heal us, and government will not fix us. We need a massive prayer movement that will lead us back to God and bring healing to our land.”
In the evening, Floyd will lead the National Observance, to be held at 7:30 p.m. in the National Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. In attendance will be some members of Congress as well as hundreds of American faith leaders.
In tune with this year’s theme — “Pray for America: Unity” — the National Observance will bring together a multiethnic, cross-denominational coalition of participants. Among these are Pastor Ronnie Floyd, speaker and actress Priscilla Shirer, Rev. Sammy Rodriguez, Rev. H.B. Charles Jr. and Rep. Mark Walker, who co-chairs the Congressional Prayer Caucus. The renowned Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers will lead the evening’s worship set.
The evening program will include a special interview moderated by Floyd with Pastor Frank and Sherri Pomeroy of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas. Pastor Frank and wife Sherri were thrust into the national spotlight last November when a shooter walked into the church’s Sunday morning service and opened fire, killing 26 people — including children — and injuring 20 more. The Pomeroys’ 14-year-old daughter was among those killed that morning. The Pomeroys will share about their and their church’s journey of faith since that day.
The National Observance will be streamed live on Daystar Television Network and on the organization’s website (www.NationalDayofPrayer.org) and Facebook page.
This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Pray for America: Unity.” The theme is anchored in Ephesians 4:3, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.” It calls Americans to pray for unity in their churches, communities, cities and the country.
Media note: Dr. Ronnie Floyd, president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, is available for interview. Please email mediainquiries@thekcompany.co to schedule an interview.
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the senior pastor of Cross Church and president of the National Day of Prayer. His new book “Living Fit: Make Your Life Count by Pursuing a Healthy You” (B&H Books) releases June 1. Follow him on Twitter @ronniefloyd.
The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the amended law designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every year, millions of Americans, in tens of thousands of meetings across all 50 states, come together for unified public prayer for America.
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