AFA - Prayer - National and Personal

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“The self-sufficient does not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray.” The late British evangelist Leonard Ravenhill (1907-1994) spoke those words in the mid- 20th century.

A century later, we have become even more self-sufficient, depending on our own abilities. We hold aloft our trophies, proclaiming, “Look what we have done!” We neglect the gracious Giver of all gifts.

We have become more self-satisfied, prideful in meaningless, material accomplishments. We rest pampered and apathetic in the arms of affluence. We forget the One who offers true satisfaction.

We have become more self-righteous, basking in the sunlight streaming through our stained glass windows.

It is not a new phenomenon, this failure of authentic prayer. In New Testament times, the apostle Paul warned the people of Israel: [“T]hey did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own” (Romans 10:3 NIV).

Prayer in National History

In colonial America, prayer was recognized as a staple in both personal and public life. For example, Massachusetts adopted a Proclamation for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer on August 28, 1777.

On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation that began with these words:

Whereas the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the supreme authority and just government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and of nations, has by a resolution requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation.

Notice that the U.S. Senate recognized the authority of God over men’s affairs.

On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman’s proclamation for a National Day of Prayer was adopted by a joint resolution of Congress. It designated July 4, 1953, as a National Day of Penance and Prayer.

On June 23, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower again designated July 4 as a National Day of Prayer.

It was 1998 when President Ronald Reagan settled National Day of Prayer as an observance to occur on the first Thursday of May each year.

Prayer in Personal Practice

Unfortunately, today’s woke culture has abandoned moral principles and conservative values. God has been practically expelled from our national ethic.

Fortunately, however, Christians today still wrestle with the principle and practice of genuine, meaningful prayer, as it was recognized by our Founding Fathers.

If we do not confess the sins of our critically ill culture, the illness could be terminal. Time and time again, God has judged nations by the character of His people. When His people failed to repent, their nations fell.

America’s believers – preachers and plumbers, janitors and judges, editors and educators, broadcasters and brick masons – must spend time before God Almighty, confessing and repenting. And most desire to deepen their prayer life.

Where does one begin? First, every man, woman, and child who claims the name of Christ should pray in earnest for a deepening personal relationship with the Savior. Daily personal confession and repentance are prerequisites for a life of faith.

We must pray for our families; pray for God’s power and protection over them, and pray that each one will be Christ’s light in the darkness.

Believers must pray for our workplaces or classrooms, wherever we spend our day away from home. Pray for coworkers, classmates, teachers, supervisors, bosses, and subordinates. Pray for God to use us to bring honor and glory to Him.

Pray for the unsaved – family members, friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and others whom God puts on your heart.

Pray for those in civil authority – city and county officials, governors, and other state leaders. Pray for the president, congressmen, and senators. Pray for the judges and attorneys who direct traffic in our courtrooms.

Pray for leaders in the body of Christ across America and around the world. Begin with pastors and church staff members, elders, deacons, or board members of your church, your Sunday school teacher, and other volunteers who devote their time to lifting up Jesus Christ.

Pray for denominational leaders and executives. Pray for leaders in the countless ministries and missions God has put in place to spread the gospel.

Typically, the great spiritual movements in history have been preceded by seasons of great moral crisis, not unlike what we face today. For this season, and for the moral health of our nation, it is imperative that Christ followers be vigilant in prayer.

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National Day of Prayer
Thursday, May 7, 2026

Learn more at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

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