This Year's National Day of Prayer on Thursday, Could be Largest Yet; Will Focus on 1 Kings 8:28: 'Lord, Hear Our Cry'

Leah Marieann Klett : May 5, 2015
Gospel Herald

"Yet give attention to Your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying in Your presence this day." -1 Kings 8:28

The 64th annual National Day of Prayer is expected to have its largest number of participants in over 60 years on Thursday, May 7 in what organizers are calling an "unprecedented opportunity to see the Lord's healing and renewing power made manifest." (Photo : nationaldayofprayer.org)

"We are anticipating the largest day of prayer from coast to coast with more than 43,000 prayer gatherings," John Bornschein, vice chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and an executive member of the National Prayer Committee, told The Christian Post.

"This coming year marks the 64th anniversary of this important day and we fully expect that the president will sign a proclamation as well as all 50 state governors. Already nearly 40 proclamations have been received and counting."

According to the National Day of Prayer website, the theme of this year's event will be "Lord, Hear Our Cry" and is accompanied by the Bible verse 1 Kings 8:28, which reads "Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day."

The website notes that the theme was chosen specifically to emphasize the "need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men."

Though it has its roots in Christian heritage, the National Day of Prayer is meant to be an expression of American freedom of religion, where people of different religions dedicate the day to pray for our nation.

The National Day of Prayer, although unofficially observed since 1775, was signed into law as an official day of observance by Harry S. Truman in 1952. Since then, dozens of United States Presidents have signed proclamations in support of the date, calling upon Americans of all religions to pray for the benefit of the nation.

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