Hello and warm greetings from all of us at the National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDP) headquarters! My heart is full as I reflect on the happenings of May 1, and I would like to take this opportunity to share a few thoughts with you about this year’s 63rd observance of the National Day of Prayer. From sunup to sundown, it was a tremendous day of prayer across our nation.
This has been a banner year due in great part to the overwhelming support provided by good friends like you. All 50 Governors and the President of the United States proclaimed the 63rdannual National Day of Prayer as millions of Americans gathered from coast to coast in solemn assembly. It was quite possibly the single, largest, mobilized effort to prayer in the history of our nation. Approximately 43,000 gatherings, large and small, were held in a multitude of venues from stadiums and churches to parks and individual homes. Americans everywhere paused to intercede for our nation. Adding to the enthusiasm generated by reports from around the country, we were pleased that for the first time, ten other countries joined with us in prayer including Australia, India, Thailand, Israel, Taiwan, Ecuador, Namibia, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In addition, the National Observance was broadcast live out of Jerusalem, Israel to over 200 countries with more than 270,000 viewers tuning in online. Yet, there was also evidence that we must not fail in advancing the cause of public prayer if we are to maintain this important freedom.
An anti-faith organization attempted to block the prayer gathering on Capitol Hill to prevent the military from participating. Although representatives from our armed forces stood firm, it was a powerful reminder that NDP's efforts are key to ensuring that prayer remains an integral part of our national life.
In Washington, D.C., our gathering at the Cannon House Office Building was enthusiastically received. Honorary Chairwoman, Anne Graham Lotz brought the keynote address, calling for repentance across the land and a return to moral righteousness in personal and community life.
Among the other esteemed speakers were: Congressman Mike McIntyre; Congressman Robert Aderholt; Chaplain Patrick Conroy, Judge Maurice Foley; The Honorable Bob McEwen; and Major General Joseph S. Ward, Jr. Our musical guest Mr. Don Moen punctuated the time with praise and worship. It was truly a historic and momentous gathering we will be talking about for generations to come. If you were unable to join with us at the National Observance, simply visit our website, www.NationalDayofPrayer.org, and you will find a link to listen or view all of the speakers. It will give you a unique glimpse of what transpired.
Upon our return to our headquarters in Colorado Springs, we continued in prayer and received more exciting news. Just four days after the National Day of Prayer, on May 5th, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the American tradition of public prayer does not violate the Constitution.
This ruling preserves public prayer, protects the freedom of community volunteers to pray without censorship and defends the prayer giver’s freedom of speech. We are still praising God over the decision. However, we are not out of the woods yet. We are still praying fervently and asking you to do the same over a case in Colorado where a group of atheists are trying to prevent Governors from exercising their religious freedoms to call on citizens to pray and as I just mentioned, all 50 Governors called for a National Day of Prayer this year. We do not want this unanimous call to prayer to end on our watch so please stand with us as we work with the Alliance Defending Freedom to protect our Constitutional rights and those of our elected officials as well.
In closing, I want to remind you that although the official 63rd annual National Day of Prayer has concluded, we must work diligently, together, to make every day a national day of prayer! The momentum continues as we are launching our Pray for America Bus Rally Tour II, which will take our team through 14 states from Florida to California. Then, October 1-5, we will be mobilizing a prayer gathering in Hollywood, California called The Summons, asking God to intervene in the areas of media, arts and entertainment. So, please make plans now to join with me in prayer for America. I look forward to seeing you in Hollywood, California. To get registered, visitwww.hollywoodprayer.org
Through your unwavering intercession and financial partnership we have accomplished much – but, I am convinced there is still more we can do that can have an eternal impact on our neighbors, cities, states and country. A gift match challenge has been presented to our ministry and we need your help. For every dollar we receive between now and July 1, a ministry partner will match your gift, thereby doubling your contribution to the National Day of Prayer Task Force. So, for this limited time, your sacrificial gift will double the impact. Our efforts to defend religious freedoms, train and equip thousands of volunteers, organize year-around prayer gatherings and mobilize millions to pray on the annual National Day of Prayer take a combined effort from all of us. Together we can do more. Thank you for your prayers and financial support that enables us to keep moving forward.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Shirley Dobson
Chairman, NDP Task Force
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