For the 59th time in as many years, the United States will observe the National Day of Prayer today.
This tradition began in 1952, when President Harry S Truman signed the annual observance into law.
Many Americans today will offer up prayers of thanksgiving for the blessings of life and liberty that we enjoy as a people. Many will also ask God to protect our country and to turn our hearts back to Him in this time of terrorist threats as well as economic turmoil, when many do not have jobs.
The theme of this year’s observance is “Prayer — for such a time as this.” Organizers are reminding participants of God’s promises toward those who place their faith in Him. The verse associated with today’s event is Nahum 1:7: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
The only negative surrounding this year’s observance is that a federal judge in Wisconsin recently declared the federal declaration of the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. That is an absurd ruling because the Constitution forbids the official establishment of a state religion, not the free exercise of religious liberties, which is exactly what the National Day of Prayer encourages.
Prayer is worthwhile and good every day of the year, but there is nothing wrong with setting aside a day when Americans unite to praise God and to seek His blessings, pardon and protection.