Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the National Day of Prayer

May 6th, followers of Jesus gathered all across our nation for the 70th National Day of Prayer. Although a national day for prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States, on February 3rd, 1952, Billy Graham stood on the steps of America’s capital and challenged our nation to pray. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer, and, in 1988, Ronald Reagan signed a law designating the first Thursday in May as National Day of Prayer. Go HERE for a short video on the 70th anniversary.

In addition to prayer gatherings in many cities across Ohio, a group gathered at the Seal of Ohio at our Statehouse to pray. The seal has below it our state motto, “With God, all things are possible.” Quoted from Matthew 19:26, it is the only state motto taken directly from the Bible. Carla Varga, Ohio State Coordinator for NDP, facilitated the noon prayer gathering with several people leading prayer for the seven centers of influence in America: government, military, media arts, business, education, church, and the family.

Prayer leaders in golf carts in Florida met people in neighborhoods and on the streets to pray while boats prayed up the coastlines and met in docks and on lakes to lift prayers. Cities reported pastors getting together to pray for their city and one another and then went out together to participate together in united prayer with their city. Planes flew over our nation with praying pilots and passengers to cover us from the air, while below, people mobilized on bicycles, cars, and on foot to pray all around their communities.

Please share your National Day of Prayer story! Please share your experience with us at SteveHopkins@scbo.org and nationally at glory.story@nationaldayofprayer.org. You can watch the entire NDP broadcast HERE.