Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer

Tomorrow an incredible movement will unfold in our country. Millions of Americans across all 50 states will gather in churches, local businesses, the steps of city halls, in schools, neighborhoods, and public gathering places for a day of public prayer for the United States of America. In one voice, they will lift a single prayer request to God: unity in America.

This Thursday, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer. It will be the 30th annual observance since President Ronald Reagan signed the amended law designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer, and the 67th observance since the day was first created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

I honestly cannot think of another moment more appropriate for America to come together and pray for unity in our nation.

We are living through a crucial time in our country’s history. Division rages, hate and vitriolic language are loud. We’re more focused on making enemies than friends. If we do not find the resolve to come together and confront the issues fracturing our communities and dividing our country, we will not find the peace and healing we desperately need.

In all this, one thing is crystal clear: politics will not heal us, and government will not fix us. We need a massive prayer movement that will lead us back to God and bring healing to our land. That is my great hope for this date set apart for prayer and national repentance.

In the evening, I will lead the National Observance of the National Day of Prayer in Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. Can you believe that? We will cry out to God together from the very halls of power in our nation. You can join us live at 7:30 p.m. EDT on the DayStar Television Network or nationaldayofprayer.org.

In attendance will be some members of Congress as well as hundreds of American faith leaders. Leaders like Priscilla Shirer, Rev. Sammy Rodriguez, Rev. H.B. Charles Jr. and Rep. Mark Walker, who co-chairs the Congressional Prayer Caucus, will pray for unity in our government, communities, churches, and among ethnicities and races. The renowned Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers will lead us in worship music. The Capitol will turn into a place of worship.

Perhaps the most special and poignant point of the evening program will be the interview I will moderate with Pastor Frank and Sherri Pomeroy of First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.

As I am sure you remember, last November a shooter walked into the Pastor Pomeroy’s church and opened fire, killing 26 people — including children — and injuring 20 more. It was the deadliest church shooting in US history. The Pomeroys’ 14-year-old daughter was among those killed that morning.

Scripture says that if one part of the body suffers every part suffers with it. That day, the entire church in America suffered as one. Tomorrow, the church must come together again as Pastor Pomeroy leads a prayer for unity and security in our churches, schools and communities.

This is a moment in American history when the church must rise as one to cry to God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus. If unity is to come to our country, it must begin with us. I hope you will join one of the thousands of prayer gatherings that will take place across the country tomorrow, and as Ephesians 4:3 says, let’s make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.

Now is the Time to Lead and to Pray for America,

Ronnie Floyd