In This Issue• Introduction
• Help Us Promote NDP!
• Legal Questions Resolved!
• Obama's Proclamation Released
• Now You Can Watch Live!
• You Can Still Host an Event!
• Special Notice from CHPP
Greetings!
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners
P.O. Box 5152
Herndon, VA 20172-1970
chpp@patriot.net
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER "A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD!"
April 30, 2011
"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:2)
Introduction
The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 5
Thursday, May 5, is the National Day of Prayer. This year's theme, "A Mighty Fortress is our God", is taken from Psalm 91. The theme reminds participants that our God is a refuge, a stronghold of safety in a troubled time.
Prayer is a vital part of our heritage as Americans. In times of need, American leaders have sought the assistance of God, and called on the people of the United States to pray.
The first National Day of Prayer was called by the Continental Congress in 1775. There have been over 135 national calls to prayer and/or thanksgiving by our Presidents. There have also been close to 1,000 state and federal calls to prayer since 1775. And God has answered those prayers by meeting the nation's needs. Sometimes that has meant sending rain, protecting our troops at war, or maintaining our peace and freedom, but God has been faithful to America.
It is time for America to pray again. Capitol Hill Prayer Partners urges you to attend one of the thousands of public services being held to recognize the National Day of Prayer. To find a National Day of Prayer event in your area or to host one at your church, click here.
Help Us Promote NDP!
Join us in promoting the National Day of Prayer this Sunday!
Next Thursday, May 5, is the 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. The theme for this year is "A Mighty Fortress is our God" from Psalm 91. The National Day of Prayer has become an anchor to a growing prayer revival taking place across our land. If it continues to grow, it could mean revival in our churches and another Great Awakening in America. May God make it so!
You can find an NDP event in your area by clicking on this link to the National Day of Prayer "find-an-event" page. Please promote the specific details of your area event to your church members this Sunday and plan to participate.
If there is no event planned near you, open your facilities for prayer services at noon on Thursday and invite your church and community. Be sure to post the event on the NDP website by clicking here. Need more resources? Visit the NDP website. You can learn more about NDP's 7 x 7 campaign to pray for the seven centers of influence in our country, seven days a week by clicking here. FRC has partnered with NDPTF to create a free, downloadable bulletin insert you can reproduce for use in church this Sunday. To get a copy, click here.
America is in difficult times: economic, moral, political, but most of all spiritual. This National Day of Prayer may be a pivotal moment for our nation. Only God can heal our land (2 Chr 7:14). But only America's pastors and churches can provide the spiritual leadership our nation now needs. Please join with FRC and the NDP and churches across America to help this year's National Day of Prayer become the most God-pleasing and nation-changing day of prayer in American history. Let's saturate America with prayer on Thursday, May 5.
Sincerely,
Rev. Pierre Bynum
National Prayer Director
Email: pbynum@frc.org
Family Research Council
801 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-2100
Fax: 202-393-2134
Web: www.frc.org
Capitol Hill Prayer Partners joins the Family Research Council in encouraging each of our Prayer Partners to promote the National Day of Prayer this weekend. Thank you!
Legal Questions Resolved!
Recently, the observance of the National Day of Prayer has had its challenges. Last year, Federal Judge Barbara Crabb handed down a wrong-headed ruling based on a suit filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, which declared unconstitutional every government proclamation from those in Puritan New England, the Continental Congress, Governors and nearly every United States President from George Washington to Barack Obama. Earlier this month, the Seventh U.S. Court of Appeals thankfully upheld the constitutional right of public officials to proclaim and Americans to observe the National Day of Prayer. To learm more about that ruling, go here.
In fact, President Harry Truman signed into law a declaration in 1952 that every President "shall set aside and proclaim a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer." In 1988, President Ronald Reagan took President Truman's declaration one step further and set the first Thursday of May as the official National Day of Prayer (NDP). Since then, President Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, and President George W. Bush have marked this day with a White House observance. Indeed, all presidents, including Obama, have issued commemorative proclamations.
In commenting on the decision rendered by the court, Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force and wife of Focus on the Family Founder Dr. James Dobson, said "I applaud the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence on the Almighty. Prayer is an indispensable part of our heritage, and as citizens, we must remain faithful in our commitment to intercede for our nation during this pivotal and challenging time."
Michael Calhoun, Director of Strategic Communication for the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force added, "This is definitely a victory for the free exercise of religion that our Founding Fathers sought to ensure, and we are thankful for the outcome. I can't think of a time in recent memory when it has been more important to pray for wisdom and direction for our country and its leaders . . . I hope millions will join the ongoing efforts of our NDP Task Force to that end."
Obama Proclamation Released
White House Issues Obama's Proclamation Declaring the 60th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (April 29, 2011) - Earlier today, the White House released Obama's Proclamation marking the 60th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer, which will take place on Thursday, May 5th. In his proclamation, Obama recognizes the important role that prayer has played in the United States, saying, "Throughout our history, Americans have turned to prayer for strength, inspiration, and solidarity. Prayer has played an important role in the American story and in shaping our Nation's leaders."
To read Obama's Proclamation, calling the nation to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 5, go here.
Now You Can Watch Live!
Now You Can Watch the National Observance on Capitol Hill Live on GodTV!
Watch LIVE on Thursday, May 5th (9:00am - 12:00pm ET) as prominent leaders from around the country gather on Capitol Hill for the 2011 National Observance. CLICK HERE to watch LIVE.
Program highlights include:
• Keynote - Joni Eareckson Tada, 2011 Honorary Chairman.
• Other speakers include: Dr. and Mrs. James C. Dobson, Congressman Allen West, Chaplain Barry Black, Justice Paul Newby, Captain Ryan Voltin, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, and more.
• Special Musical Guest - Ginny Owens.
• Worship Leader - Jared Anderson.
Special thanks to GodTV for partnering with us to broadcast this special event around the world via DirecTV channel 365 and Webcast.
You Can Still Host an Event!
Only 5 Days Left Until NDP . . . Still Time to Host an Event!!
Although the 60th Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer is only days away, it's not too late to host an event. Just this week, there have been thousands of new events posted on our Web site. Now is the time to visit us online and find an event in your community or post the event that you are planning.
The searchable event listing is the most popular page on our Web site - posting your event information on our website helps increase both awareness and attendance. The posting process is simple and only takes a few minutes. CLICK HERE to post/find an event now.
Special Notice from CHPP
Congress will return this week, resuming its business after a two-week Spring District Recess Period.
Meanwhile, members of our own editorial team are also going to be involved with activities related to the National Day of Prayer all week here in Washington, D.C.
In order to make the best use of our time, we will NOT publish "On Capitol Hill This Week" (the "OCAP")this weekend. Instead, you will receive the Daily Brief every day next week, including articles normally posted on the OCAP.
We thank all of you in advance for the grace extended to us, so that we may join YOU in honoring the 60th Anniversary of the National Day of Prayer this year in Washington, D.C.
