The 400-year-old history of the National Day of Prayer

This Thursday, May 6th, marks seven decades of American Presidents, by law, calling for a day of prayer for our nation. You can join us in Tallahassee at the Historic Florida Capitol. Though this year marks 70 years of a federal proclamation, the history of a national day of prayer goes back closer to 400 years.

In 1621, the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. It was known as the National Day of Praise and Thanksgiving, a cultural fall feast focusing on giving thanks to God. Can you guess the sister holiday that occurs in the spring?

If you guessed the sister holiday is what we now call the National Day of Prayer (observed the first Thursday of May), then you’re correct!

Historically, the national day of prayer and fasting was observed in the spring, and the national day of praise and Thanksgiving (later known as Thanksgiving) in the fall. ¹

Abraham Lincoln said in a proclamation in 1863,

“We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. […] It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”²

Scriptures to Overcome Fear

Bookmark this page and come back to it daily as a prayer and verse-memorization tool. The best way to overcome fear is to fill your mind and heart with the truths found in the Word of God.

Old Testament

“You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22 (NKJV)

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8 (NIV)

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (NKJV)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” Psalm 46:1­2 (NKJV)

Photo Recap: National Day of Prayer 2018

On May 3rd, 2018, hundreds gathered on the 22nd floor of the Florida State Capitol to join together from different influential aspects of society to honor God, humble themselves, and pray for God to intervene in America.

A National Day set aside by Congress with a long history in our nation

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer. The following excerpts are from that proclamation:

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.”

A list of prayers to strengthen your inner man

Do you face discouragement running out of things to pray for? I have definitely experienced this. A prayer list is great, but what exactly do we pray over those that we have on the list?

The best prayers are ones that are from the Word. This is a list of scriptures that will help give you dialogue material to speak with God.

This list is compiled by Mike Bickle. Watch his teaching on this topic.

We can use the acronym F.E.L.L.O.W.S.H.I.P. to guide our times of prayer.

FFear of God

• I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. (Jer. 32:40)
• The Lord…you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. (Isa. 8:13)
• Unite my heart (to Your heart and Word) to fear Your name. (Ps. 86:11)
• His delight is in the fear of the LORD… (Isa. 11:3)

EEndurance

• Being strengthened with all power…may have great endurance and patience… (Col. 1:11 NIV)
• May the Lord direct your hearts into…the patience (endurance) of Christ. (2 Thes. 3:5)
• It was written, “Zeal for Thy house will consume me (Jesus).” (Jn. 2:17, NAS)
• Zeal for Your house has eaten me (David) up… I wept and chastened my soul with fasting that became my reproach. I made sackcloth my garment… (Ps. 69:9-11)
• Phinehas…was zealous with My zeal among them… (Num. 25:11)

A weekend of non-stop worship in Washington, D.C.

It’s early Saturday morning in Washington, D.C. The sun is just beginning to rise over the U.S. Capitol, and the mile of National Mall between the Capitol and Washington Monument has been buzzing with 57 tents of worship that started at 10pm the night before. 50 humble-sized tents are filled with representatives from every state. Even at these early hours of the morning, there are small crowds around tents, people dancing and clapping to the Lord.

From October 6–9th, an estimated 30,000 people from all over the nation converged on the National Mall to give the Lord an offering of love and worship for 56 hours non-stop. Gathered not around a speaker, or personality, but around the presence of the Lord, these worshippers gave it their all.

Five verses that prove God likes you

Humanity didn’t deserve the Cross. We weren’t entitled to it. Nevertheless, God’s big plan was to redeem the world, to set the world right. As we think about salvation, sometimes we only think about that big picture. Our part may be small, but it is comforting to feel like even a small part of the big plan, as this earth barrels forward in its transition toward the end and beginning of all things.

But there is a deeper layer to the story, something much more specific. There is a passion in God’s heart, and it is for people. It is me. It is you. It may be difficult to imagine a personal Savior who cares about being close to you, but that is exactly why Jesus came to earth. Jesus loves you. Jesus likes you. It is the consistent, never-ending attitude of his heart. Here are five verses that prove it:

Genesis 1:31 – The Designer’s Finest Work

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” Gen. 1:31

Before you physically existed, you were a thought in God’s mind. He formulated you. He designed every detail of you. He loved you. In His words, the creation, your design was “very good.” When God Himself uses the word very, we should take it seriously!

Photo Recap: National Day of Prayer 2017

On May 4th, 2017, hundreds gathered on the 22nd floor of the Florida State Capitol to join together from different influential aspects of society to honor God, humble themselves, and pray for God to intervene in America.

A National Day

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer. The following excerpts are from that proclamation:

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.”

Looking back on testimonies of answered prayer, we believe for what’s ahead in America

I have been a governmental intercessor for 25 years, standing in the gap for our country. I began to truly intercede for the nation when I had my fourth child; today, with four grandchildren, I am still standing in the gap for America and training young intercessors.

Many battles have been won and some lost. Our job as intercessors is to stay steady, stand firm, and never, ever give up! Sometimes this is easier said than done. When you watch the news and it seems like you’re losing, you have to learn to declare the Word of the Lord, realize you’re in a long-term battle, and not grow weary.

I want to share some stories of governmental intercession that I hope will give encouragement in the midst of the battles we are facing right now as a nation.

How You Can Encounter God in His Word

A lot of people treat their time in the Word as an item on their to–do list that needs to be checked off. “I gotta get to the next chapter so I can be caught up on my Bible reading plan,” some might hurriedly mutter to themselves. What causes us to be preoccupied with simply finishing our Bible Reading Plan, and how can we better approach the subject of reading the Word?

Jesus warned the Jews in His day, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (Jn. 5:39) The Word is what displays God’s character and nature so that we are driven to talking with, and encountering God.