The 2019 National Day of Prayer Experienced Growth Nationally
We are very thankful to God and give Him the glory for the great growth experienced across the nation through our 2019 National Day of Prayer. For the past two years, I have had the humbling privilege to lead this national movement of prayer for America. On Thursday, May 2, 2019, the Lord received the prayers of millions across this nation and world.
Even though we will learn more in the days to come, we want to share what we know now and celebrate what the Lord has done across America on the National Day of Prayer:
- From Maine to Hawaii, sunrise to sunset, growth occurred in our number of prayer observances, with nearly 60,000 National Day of Prayer observances held in towns, cities, and counties across our nation.
- On social media, hashtags #NationalDayOfPrayer and #Love1Another trended #1 in the nation on Thursday, May 2, with more than 300,000 posts.
- With the introduction of new online media tracking tools, we have been able to track close to 19,000 articles and mentions promoting local events and encouraging millions to pray on the National Day of Prayer.
- We know that there have been over 700,000 views of the 2019 National Observance of the National Day of Prayer, held during the evening from the United States Capitol. We believe over the summer we will surpass over one million views and may even come near having 1.5 million views of the National Observance in Washington, D.C.
Coupling all we know about online statistics, radio and television broadcasts, and local gatherings, we believe that more people than ever before were potentially reached with the message of the National Day of Prayer’s theme this year: Love One Another.
Through being televised on DayStar Christian Network and God TV, we took the message of prayer in most countries across the world as well as every state in the nation. Millions upon millions were called upon to pray for America and to Love One Another!
This is a testament to everyone who was involved in any way, including attending and inviting a friend to a gathering, sharing online, organizing an event, and most importantly, praying for God’s blessing upon our nation. Thank you for being involved in the National Day of Prayer. To God be the glory!
Did you participate locally? Did you watch the National Observance from Statuary Hall? If not, click here to watch it. Did you see the highlights of this observance? If so, we are thrilled you joined in this great movement of prayer with us. If not, we pray you will join us in the future.
There is so much more we can do together. Begin planning now to join a gathering on May 7, 2020.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
4 Thoughts About My Time as President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force
One of my great blessings in life and leadership has been the time I served as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Knowing we were tasked with the mission of mobilizing unified public prayer for America has been, at times, overwhelming. For these past two years, I have taken it seriously and addressed it strategically.
On Friday, May 17, 2019, I will conclude my time in this role. Due to a new calling in my life, serving as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, a role I will begin formally and full time on Monday, May 20, 2019, Jeana and I will be moving to Nashville, Tennessee.
Not only am l leaving my service as President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, I will also be leaving my role as Senior Pastor of Cross Church in Northwest Arkansas. After serving as their Senior Pastor for the past thirty-two years and seven months, my final Sunday with our great fellowship will be Sunday, May 19. Our eleven services on our four campuses will be combining into one service in the Bud Walton Arena on the campus of the University of Arkansas.
I want to share four thoughts about my time as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force:
1. The National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday in May is observed in all kinds of settings, in all kinds of places, by all kinds of people.
We do not need a national law to pray for America, but I am grateful to God for the law that calls upon all Americans to pray for America on the first Thursday in May every year. This opens the door for many to feel the freedom to stand up in their communities to pray for America. There is still a grand opportunity with a huge upside for every Christian leader in America to step into God-given opportunity of influencing people for Christ. Therefore, determine now to take advantage of the opportunity next year on Thursday, May 7, 2020.
2. The National Day of Prayer needs to walk in the existing footprint of Jesus all over this nation: The churches in America.
With over 300,000+ churches connected with some 200 denominations in our nation, this is where the growth is for the future of the National Day of Prayer. Mobilizing pastors and churches to pray for America is the key to turning this nation to God and is where the greatest growth awaits this movement. As a pastor of a local church, I believe we successfully mobilized a great number of churches over the past two years to step into this opportunity in their town, city, or county. Continue forward!
3. The National Day of Prayer opens the doors for Christians to work together for the glory of God.
This can be a great testimony wherever you are: Get outside of your normal circle of influence and work with Christians who may not agree with you on secondary matters, but they do believe:
- The Bible is the infallible Word of God and is the final word on all things.
- Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world and the only way to eternal salvation.
- The advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest need in the world; therefore, we must each answer the calling of making disciples of all the nations.
I have met some great Christian men and women in my work through the National Day of Prayer. Thanks to each of you.
4. The National Day of Prayer must continue our commitment to making this movement a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-church, and multi-denominational movement of prayer for America.
The National Day of Prayer movement must look like America looks today and in the future with multiple generations, multiple ethnicities, carried out in multiple languages spoken in our nation. Mobilizing multiple churches and multiple denominations will strengthen the power of prayer across the nation. Through our National Observance in Washington, D.C. that I have led the past two years, I have modeled this commitment.
In Closing
The National Day of Prayer needs you. Join this movement of prayer across America. More to come on Wednesday, so please stay tuned.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.