35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, Let us go across to the other side. 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)
The day, observed annually, is typically observed the first Thursday in the month of May and serves as a day for us to give thanks through turning to God in prayer and peaceful meditation. After Congress approved a resolution establishing a National Day of Prayer, President Harry Truman signed the National Day of Prayer into law on April 17, 1952.
The National Prayer Committee was formed in 1972. The committee would later create a National Day of Prayer Task Force charged with coordinating events involved in observing the National Day of Prayer. President Ronald Reagan signed an amendment to the original law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer.
The origins of the National Day of Prayer can be traced back to 1775 and the days of the Continental Congress who set aside a time of daily prayer while working to form a new nation. Throughout American history, Presidents have called on the nation’s citizens to come together and pray during times when the nation faced tragedy or had to deal with a national emergency.
There are an estimated 40,000 events held throughout the nation commemorating the National Day of Prayer. People will gather all around the United States to pray.
Where are you planning to participate in the National Day of Prayer?
Locally, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a number of options are available for believers wanting to gather with other believers in prayer. The Hope Center in Plano is hosting a major event celebrating the National Day of Prayer. Garland, Texas will host a National Day of Prayer event at the Atrium.
Some other National Day of Prayer events being held in the Dallas-Fort Worth area:
Mesquite: The National Day of Prayer Noon Day Service will be held at noon at Mesquite City Hall, located at 757 North Galloway Avenue. The event will last approximately 30 minutes and no registration is required.
Mansfield: National Day of Prayer in Mansfield is free and open to the public. The event will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. on the steps of Mansfield ISD Center for Performing Arts, located at 1110 West Debbie Lane.
Plano: A multicultural prayer service will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Plano Municipal Center, located at 1520 K Avenue.
Rockwall: The Community Midday Prayer event will be held at The Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Prayers will be offered by pastors and community leaders.
You can learn more about the National Day of Prayer and this year’s theme “Love One Another,” here.
The Devotional Guy™ 