What an Incredible Day of Prayer!

The Official 2009 National Day of Prayer took place on May 7 and millions gathered across America to lift up every center of power - churches, families, businesses, government, education, military and media. What a voice and what a sound that must have been before the throne room of the Almighty! It doesn’t stop there! No, that was only the beginning of another year of dedicated worship, prayer and fasting. In fact, we are hard at work planning many other prayer events - continuing to unite the body of Christ for such a time as this.

Please mark your calendars for the Foster Care Prayer Vigil that begins on May 17. This is in addition to the Global Day of Prayer that is taking place right now and concludes with millions in worship and prayer on May 31. Also, make plans now to join me and the rest of the National Day of Prayer Task Force at the Focus on the Family headquarters, October 16-18 for the National Prayer Summit.

I know that organizing prayer is not easy. However, if you feel led, I would encourage you to get involved in your community. Transformation begins in prayer, but James tells us that faith without action is lost. Prayerfully consider one of the following opportunities:

Volunteer at your local soup kitchen
Become part of Prison Fellowship
Serve resources and food to the poor and hungry with Convoy of Hope
Volunteer with the Salvation Army
Lead a Small Group in your church or home

The need for prayer is greater than ever.

Check back to the National Day of Prayer website soon as we will have reports, pictures and videos to share from across the country. We have received several thousand reports already and I can’t wait to share with you some of the many exciting prayer gatherings that took place on May 7.

When we join together in prayer, we expect the hand of God to move in mighty ways. We expect to see change and witness His outpouring first hand. Every year, stories come in of how NDP launched prayer services or dedicated prayer gatherings to petition God to intervene in the lives of men. For example, we have received stories of reduction in crime, reduction in abortion, divorce, job loss and more. There were tangible results for specific prayer requests. God answers prayer.

The commitment to prayer is a challenging one. Trust me. Something will always manage to distract you from your devotion to the Lord in prayer. However, if I can encourage you in anyway, please know that you are not alone. We are standing with you in this prayer movement. Join us on Thursday this week. My team and I will be online for Live Prayer. Just visit our website and click on the large graphic that will take you to www.ourprayer.org and you can enter the National Day of Prayer Live Chat Room. We would be honored to pray for you.