The California Ministerial Alliance will be leading in prayers at the Moniteau County Courthouse at noon May 3. Everyone is welcome to meet in front of the flagpole at 12:15 p.m. to pray with the alliance "in the Name of Jesus" for the local, state and national government, as well as all the leaders and people of this land.
According to Frank Hensley, pastor of New Life Christian Center, a special tribute and prayer of thanks will be given for all those working in the Moniteau County Courthouse, the officers of the law, firefighters and emergency responders. A box lunch will be served to them as special thanks.
In 2018, the theme from the National Day of Prayer Task Force is "Pray for America - Unity," based upon Ephesians 4:3. This is a challenge to mobilize unified public prayer for America, "Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
"Prayer brings people together," Hensley said. "Prayer builds bridges between opposing persons and even political parties. Prayer reminds us that we are created in God's image and He desires for us to represent Him everywhere we go."
Significance of the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer has great significance for the country, as it enables individuals to recall and to teach the way in which the founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for citizens to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for leaders and His grace upon all people.
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, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan May 5, 1988, designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.
The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to the nation today as it was in the beginning.
Like Thanksgiving or Christmas, this day has become a national observance placed on all Hallmark calendars and observed annually across the nation and in Washington, D.C. Every year, local, state, and federal observances were held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for the nation.
It is estimated that more than 2 million people attended more than 30,000 observances - organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers in past years. At state capitols, county court houses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches and homes, people stopped their activities and gathered for prayer.
Historical Summary
1775 The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer
1863 Abraham Lincoln called for such a day.
1952 Congress established it as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Harry Truman (82-324)
1988 The law was amended and signed by President Ronald Reagan, designating the it as the first Thursday in May (100-307).
For information, call Pastor Frank Hensley at 573-338-2154.