Uniting in supplication

National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U. S. Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Our local task force is a privately funded organization whose purpose it is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families.

The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was born in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, military, media, business, education, church and family.

Debra Morgan, National Day of Prayer coordinator for the Piedmont Region said: “For years my mother had persistently attempted to persuade me to accompany her to the National Day of Prayer. About 10 years ago she was rewarded for her perseverance. Little did I know at the time that the reward would be all mine. As we drove up to the courthouse lawn I was overwhelmed with emotion at what I saw. Tears welled up in my eyes. The beauty and reverence of God’s children hand-in-hand with heads bowed down is an image that greatly affected me.

“That image of God has faithfully brought me back year after year. Because of my mom’s passion for this event and God touching my heart, as well as the encouragement and support of fellow Christians, we are now working together to coordinate the Piedmont region National Day of Prayer.”

During my conversation with Matt Viar, who serves as Rize Up Youth Ministries outreach coordinator, he said: “Prayer is an essential part of a Christian’s life. It is so because, through prayer, we are able to communicate directly with the God of the universe. So, to ask whether or not I believe in it is like asking whether or not I believe in the importance of eating. We all would say that eating is an important part of life. Well I believe that prayer is just as important a part of life.

“I believe in prayer not only because I believe that my Lord and savior hears and is concerned about my life, but because I have seen the effects of prayer.

“The Lord works in mighty ways, and it is through much prayer that great things have taken place in this world. Whether it is praying for a lost friend, a sick relative, or deliverance from addictions, I know and have seen God work in awesome ways.

“He has worked mightily in my own life as well, helping me to grow in ways I never would have imagined. I never thought that I would be working in ministry, yet through prayer God has given me a passion to help the youth of this world. God is such a great and mighty God, the creator of the universe, yet he hears each and every one of our prayers! What an awesome God we serve.”

I truly believe that it’s very important for every Christian to develop a strong prayer life. I’m a firm believer in the power of prayer. We communicate with our savior Jesus Christ and God our father through prayer. I invite all youth to join us for prayer on April 30 at the Culpeper County High School auditorium. The prayer service will start at 6:30 p.m.

Also, on May 1, please join us at the Culpeper County Courthouse at noon for a time of prayer.

Remember, united we stand.

Erick Kalenga is an independent columnist who appears Sundays in the Star-Exponent. He lives in Madison County.