Prayer Continues Beyond the Fourth
2017 National Day of Prayer in Review
By Terrence Clark
There are 21 county in the state of NJ and all but two have a coordinator---that is National Day of Prayer Coordinator noted Parthenia. Parthenia Dixon is responsible for all in the state. For the last eight years or so, I have traveled with the Jersey NDP team as they travel event to event on the first Thursday in May. The mission---supporting the counties and churches that have responded to the call to gather and pray. This year was no different. I met Parthenia at a Target parking lot Camden County beginning our trek to our first event in Trenton NJ.
Some people think the National Day of Prayer is a singular one day event. It’s not. It’s an organization. More accurately, a day overseen by an organization---The National Day of Prayer Task Force. An organization whose mission is to mobilize prayer in America, encourage personal repentance, and righteousness in the culture (from the task force’s vision and mission statement). The current chairperson is Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of renown Evangelist Billy Graham, who is believed to be the spark behind the resolution and the bill in 1952. As an organization NDPTF host meetings and rallies and prayer line throughout the year, including---- |
- National Observance from 7:30pm-9:00pm EST
- September 11: Cry Out America
- November 2–5: National Leadership Summit, Miracles & Mission
- First Thursday of every month prayer calls
And of course the keynote---the 1rst Thursday in May is where the emphasis resides. The day is a clarion call to believers all over this country---known as the land of the free---to exercise religious freedom and pray. Although the call to prayer is extended to all citizens, it is observably the Christian adherents who respond with the greatest showing.
Prayer typically acknowledges there is someone to pray too. God Almighty as the receiver of prayer on a national level is still uttered in the Pledge of Allegiance---“One Nation under God”. It is still upheld in confidence on the nation’s currency---In God We Trust. It is preserved upon our constitution that our inalienable rights are granted by Him.
President Donald Trump followed suit with his predecessors and sign the official proclamation officially confirming the day. And, unlike the former Commander and Chief hosted a White House prayer event. The nation’s top leader’s lead in prayer was not only precedential but presidential.
According to the NDP website the history is as followed.
The theme this year’s NDP is and was ‘For Your Great Name’s Sake,’ derived from Daniel 9:19---
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
The underlying theme has been 2 Chronicles 7:14---
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The state of NJ reported over sixty-two separate but united prayer events joining with thousands all over the country. The type of events were as usual diverse in both unity and intensity. The definition of prayer was defined from small groups to large. There were places of silence and solemnity with believer quiet, petitioning inwardly. Others were with microphone and amps with prayer warriors pacing the stage shouting authority and dominion.
Pastor Hawkins, Jesus Recycles Ministries, hosted---Drive Thru Prayer. Various pastors led in prayer but featured cars and passengers stop though for a blessing or plea. Opening the day with 3 pledges---the American Flag, Christian Flag and The Holy Bible.
After singing a few songs, Pastor Hawkins, wife and his church’s First Lady---Davina, Pastor Andreas of Good Shepherd Church in Waterford, and Pastor Lynward Hunter Sr. of Rhema Word of Life Fellowship Church, Voorhees NJ, assisted in prayer.
“We had a small turn out, but a lot of waves, horn blowing, and effectual fervent prayer, reported Pastor Aaron. We consider the event a great success and plan to do it again next year.”
Life Church in Williamstown NJ, Pastor Jamie Morgan sponsors prayer rooms and a pantry along as part of its regular ministry offered stations of prayer. Creatively highlighting seven areas of influence. The Seven Influence of Prayer are the seven prayer categories encouraged by the NDP Task Force
President Donald Trump followed suit with his predecessors and sign the official proclamation officially confirming the day. And, unlike the former Commander and Chief hosted a White House prayer event. The nation’s top leader’s lead in prayer was not only precedential but presidential.
According to the NDP website the history is as followed.
- 1775 – The first Continental Congress calls for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting.
- 1863 – Abraham Lincoln calls for a National Day of Prayer.
- 1952 – Harry S. Truman declares a National Day of Prayer and signs into law an annual observance there of – United States Congress passed Joint Resolution 382 on April 17, 1952/ President Truman signs Public Law 82-324 (Public Law 82-324; 66 Stat. 64—April 17, 1952).
- 1988 – Ronald Reagan signs into law the designation of the first Thursday in May as the annual observance for the National Day of Prayer – President Reagan signs Public Law 100-307 January 25, 1988, in the Second Session of the One Hundredth Congress (Public Law 100-307—May 5, 1988).
- 1998 – Pub. L. 105-225, August 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1258: The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. This law was signed by President Clinton.
The theme this year’s NDP is and was ‘For Your Great Name’s Sake,’ derived from Daniel 9:19---
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.
The underlying theme has been 2 Chronicles 7:14---
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
The state of NJ reported over sixty-two separate but united prayer events joining with thousands all over the country. The type of events were as usual diverse in both unity and intensity. The definition of prayer was defined from small groups to large. There were places of silence and solemnity with believer quiet, petitioning inwardly. Others were with microphone and amps with prayer warriors pacing the stage shouting authority and dominion.
Pastor Hawkins, Jesus Recycles Ministries, hosted---Drive Thru Prayer. Various pastors led in prayer but featured cars and passengers stop though for a blessing or plea. Opening the day with 3 pledges---the American Flag, Christian Flag and The Holy Bible.
After singing a few songs, Pastor Hawkins, wife and his church’s First Lady---Davina, Pastor Andreas of Good Shepherd Church in Waterford, and Pastor Lynward Hunter Sr. of Rhema Word of Life Fellowship Church, Voorhees NJ, assisted in prayer.
“We had a small turn out, but a lot of waves, horn blowing, and effectual fervent prayer, reported Pastor Aaron. We consider the event a great success and plan to do it again next year.”
Life Church in Williamstown NJ, Pastor Jamie Morgan sponsors prayer rooms and a pantry along as part of its regular ministry offered stations of prayer. Creatively highlighting seven areas of influence. The Seven Influence of Prayer are the seven prayer categories encouraged by the NDP Task Force
- Praying for Families
- Praying for the Military
- Praying for the Government
- Praying for Churches
- Praying for Education
- Praying for the Media
- Praying for Businesses
Where it is true participants can be led by the Holy Spirit the seven areas lend to a voice of unity in the nation while addressing critical national needs and concerns
Trenton NJ our first stop, altar transformed the steps of the State Building. Congregations displaying multi-ethnicity took part. Beginning with the playing of the national anthem, the sounding of a shofar---ram’s horn (a Jewish announcement of national freedom), it continued with prayer mixed with praise throughout the program.
It was Mercer County Coordinator Lisa Austin Granville first year in the position.
Jericho Baptist Church, Derek V Gatling in also in Deptford had a smaller turn out at the opening from 4 pm to ----as congregant getting off work trickled in from work. The praying no less powerful as men and women took turn to pronounce scripture and faith as other joined in as led.
Victory in Christ Christian Center, Pastor John & Isha Edmondson, Westville lent its mega church auditorium to the day. A fiery approach as the pastor joined with his team to invoke the throne of God.
And removing the prayer out of school was silenced, as Perfecting Praise Church, Pastor Kevin & Angela Brown in Washington Township, joined with Sicklerville United Methodist of Winslow Township, for a time of unified assembly in Jesus’s name, in the high school’s concert auditorium.
I have been blessed to observe, participate, and record this gathering over the years. I have rejoiced from the standpoint of a believer and as a citizen. In my rejoicing I would be misinformed if I do not remember along with the present---both history and prophecy.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:1---This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Translation we are in critical times. A critical atmosphere does just speak to bad times. It speaks to a state of volatility. A time where very action and word has significance. The call to continually prayer and worship to God is that very thing that holds the shift key into that atmosphere that favors the righteous until the Lord’s return
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
For more information on the day, facts, contacts, and other upcoming events visit the websites
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
If you or your place of prayer experienced answers and miracles related to the national day of prayer observance we and our readers would love to hear. Please send to Vof1@aol.com or visit the Testimony Page. Ht tp://voicecnc.com/testimonies.html
Trenton NJ our first stop, altar transformed the steps of the State Building. Congregations displaying multi-ethnicity took part. Beginning with the playing of the national anthem, the sounding of a shofar---ram’s horn (a Jewish announcement of national freedom), it continued with prayer mixed with praise throughout the program.
It was Mercer County Coordinator Lisa Austin Granville first year in the position.
Jericho Baptist Church, Derek V Gatling in also in Deptford had a smaller turn out at the opening from 4 pm to ----as congregant getting off work trickled in from work. The praying no less powerful as men and women took turn to pronounce scripture and faith as other joined in as led.
Victory in Christ Christian Center, Pastor John & Isha Edmondson, Westville lent its mega church auditorium to the day. A fiery approach as the pastor joined with his team to invoke the throne of God.
And removing the prayer out of school was silenced, as Perfecting Praise Church, Pastor Kevin & Angela Brown in Washington Township, joined with Sicklerville United Methodist of Winslow Township, for a time of unified assembly in Jesus’s name, in the high school’s concert auditorium.
I have been blessed to observe, participate, and record this gathering over the years. I have rejoiced from the standpoint of a believer and as a citizen. In my rejoicing I would be misinformed if I do not remember along with the present---both history and prophecy.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:1---This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Translation we are in critical times. A critical atmosphere does just speak to bad times. It speaks to a state of volatility. A time where very action and word has significance. The call to continually prayer and worship to God is that very thing that holds the shift key into that atmosphere that favors the righteous until the Lord’s return
Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
For more information on the day, facts, contacts, and other upcoming events visit the websites
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
If you or your place of prayer experienced answers and miracles related to the national day of prayer observance we and our readers would love to hear. Please send to Vof1@aol.com or visit the Testimony Page. Ht tp://voicecnc.com/testimonies.html