Millions of Americans Expected to Gather on May 1st, 2008 to Pray for America

Millions of Americans Expected to Gather on May 1st, 2008 to Pray for America

COLORADO SPRINGS, April 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- Tens of thousands of prayer events are planned across the country on Thursday May 1, 2008 in recognition of the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer. In churches, parks and on courthouse steps, citizens will pray for our nation; government leaders, media, military, schools, churches, businesses and families.

New events are being added every day and can be found at www.nationaldayofprayer.org. To highlight a few:


Chapel Hill, N.C.: While the campus is still reeling from the murder of their student-body president, UNC will host a student-led community event on May 1.


Prayer Flight: Private pilots from around the country are banding together to fly over and pray for all 50 state capitols.


A first-time event will be held in Shanksville, Penn. at the 9/11 crash site of United Flight 93.


This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield" is based on Psalm 28:7: "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." The Lord hears and responds to His children's cry for help. He is their strength, refuge, and courage in personal and national times of suffering, despair and loss.

"This is a critical time to be in prayer for our country. The biblical principles upon which America was founded are under attack in every segment of society," said Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. "We pray God will raise righteous leaders for our country."

Mrs. Dobson also announced Ravi Zacharias as the 2008 honorary chairman. On Thursday, May 1, he will address the National Observance at the Cannon House Office Bldg. and the Pentagon celebration, both in Washington, D.C. President of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, he is also an acclaimed Christian scholar, apologist, author and speaker. In honor of the National Day of Prayer, he has authored the book, "Is There Not a Cause", which links the story of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem to the task that Christ has given us today to reach the lost.

About the National Day of Prayer: Recognizing that prayer has been and continues to be an integral part of our nation's history, Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952. This observance is currently held on the first Thursday each May, when all Americans are encouraged to exercise their religious freedom by gathering publicly to worship and pray for our land. Visit nationaldayofprayer.org to learn more.

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