Today, Americans are celebrating the 75th National Day of Prayer, with the theme: “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations.”
The theme comes from 1 Chronicles 16, King David’s prayer after the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Jerusalem concluding a 70-year separation. Will Graham is scheduled to speak National Day of Prayer broadcast at 8:00 p.m., ET.
The event sets the scene for Rededicate 250 on May 17, in which the National Mall will see “a historic gathering as Americans of every background across the country prepare for the nation’s 250th birthday with Scripture, testimony, prayer, and rededication of our country as One Nation to God.” Franklin Graham and Cissie Graham Lynch will be representing the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association during the May 17 events.
Scott Turner, secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Mike Johnson, speaker of the House, made remarks this morning during an observance at Statuary Hall inside the U.S. Capitol.
During his speech, Turner said that “the Founding Fathers could not have known everything the next two centuries would bring when they signed the Declaration that created our great nation.”
Turner pointed the audience to a Biblical message of God’s lordship.
“But they did know that they served a mighty God,” he said. “Sometimes that’s all we need to know, is Who we serve. We don’t have to know the future. We don’t have to know what’s happening tomorrow. All we need to know is God Almighty. Do you know Him today?”
After reminding Americans that God cares about “the smallest details in our daily lives to the most significant events in our nation’s history,” Turner led a prayer.
“In this 250th year of America’s independence from an earthly king, we come to You, King of kings, to give You all glory, honor and praise,” he prayed. “In faith, we declare our dependence and dedication to You, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for You alone are our Creator and Salvation. We come humbly to confess our sins and receive your forgiveness. Today in the presence of God and one another, we gather to pray, to celebrate, and to rededicate ourselves to You personally and in covenant as one nation under God; to love You with all our heart, soul, mind and strength; to love our neighbor as You have loved us; pray fervently; and tell of Your glory and goodness to all peoples as we abide in You and your Word abides in our hearts, now and forevermore. Amen.”
In his speech, Johnson reminded Americans that prayer is where the impossible happens.
“We know it’s where we find solace and stay anchored in our faith, even through challenges and even through the storms, and that is indeed how we have endured,” Johnson said.
Johnson also brought attention to the Capitol building’s paintings and statutes, saying they serve as “reminders of the deep religious heritage of our country.”
“Prayer has been a part of our DNA since the very beginning,” Johnson said. “It really goes to the heart of who we are as Americans. We are a praying nation.”
The White House released a presidential message in celebration of the day.
“This National Day of Prayer, we proudly recommit to our magnificent birthright of faith,” the message read. “I encourage all Americans to come together today in prayer, reflecting on the many blessings God has given our Nation and asking for His continued protection, with ceremonies, events, and programs in their houses of worship and places of work, schools, and homes.”
The message cites Psalm 96.
“Above all, we pledge that America will always, as it is written in Psalm 96, ‘Tell His glory among the nations’—and that we will never forget God’s role in creating, protecting, and sustaining the freest, strongest, most prosperous, and greatest country the world has ever known.”
Nine National Day of Prayer events have been scheduled for Washington, D.C., and Florida, Connecticut, California, Michigan, Texas, New York and Tennessee are each seeing more than 100 related prayer events planned in their state.
The National Day of Prayer’s establishment dates back to 1952, when Congress passed a law stating that an annual day of prayer must be declared under each president. President Harry Truman signed the measure into law, but in 1988 the date was officially established as the first Thursday each May. Christian leaders including Billy Graham advocated for the day to be emphasized as a way for the nation to return to Jesus Christ through prayer.
Other evangelical leaders attending the events include House Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben and Senate Chaplain Barry Black, and pastors Jack Graham, A.R. Bernard, Jonathan Falwell, Samuel Rodriguez, Gary Hamrick and Jonathan Pokluda.
Also on hand will be several administration officials in addition to Turner, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley, as well as former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson.
