Our Country Needs The National Day of Prayer Now More Than Ever
The Cullman Times
Congressman Robert Aderholt Column
Friday, May 15, 2009
Our Country Needs The National Day of Prayer Now More Than Ever
Last week on May 7th, I participated in the annual National Day of Prayer. It was a timely call to prayer as our nation continues to experience its’ worst economic downturn in several decades. In times of uncertainty and adversity what better way to provide hope than to devote time to prayer.
As an important part of our country’s history, our nation has recognized a National Day of Prayer since 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation.
From the early days when this nation was just beginning, the people of America realized that they needed prayer.
In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May.
In 1982, Ronald Reagan held a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden and in 1989, George H.W. Bush held a National Day of Prayer event in the State Dining Room. President Bush took it to another level by hosting an event in the East Room every year of his presidency.
The National Day of Prayer is not a Republican nor a Democrat observance. It is a day when millions of Americans put aside their political ideology to recognize that this nation is great because our nation values prayer and Godly principles… and this years’ observance did just that.
The observance at the U.S. Capitol was a wonderful God-centered event that included speakers such as Federal Judge Priscilla Owens, author Beth Moore, and former Univ. of Alabama football star Shaun Alexander. Each speaker unashamedly proclaimed that God deserves our praise and our prayer no matter what.
After the observance, I was honored to participate in a bi-partisan press conference that continued that message. It was great to stand next to my Democrat and Republican colleagues to boldly affirm our nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage and talk about the importance of prayer in the midst of our nation’s economic turmoil.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower fully understood the importance of prayer when he said, “…in times of test and trial, we instinctively turn to God for new courage and peace of mind. All the history of America bears witness to this truth. Out of faith in God, and through faith in themselves as His children, our forefathers designed and built this Republic.”
I firmly believe that this nation is great because our founding fathers committed to prayer and the principles of their faith. It is by the Grace of God that our Nation has been blessed and it is by that same Grace that our nation will rebound from its recession and again enjoy the prosperity and abundance that America has enjoyed for many years.