National Day of Prayer 2022
Even before America became an independent nation, it set aside special days of prayer. Its people knew that their future depended on the Lord’s gracious intervention. As Scripture says, it is God who “makes nations great, and destroys them; [who] enlarges nations, and disperses them” (Job 12:23). It was the early Americans’ conviction in God’s sovereignty and the power of prayer that drove them to their knees.
America has most commonly set aside two days a year for national prayer: one in the fall for thanksgiving and praise and one in the spring for fasting and supplication. Over the course of American history, these days of prayer have gone through cycles of neglect and renewal.
The latest reinstatement of a national day of prayer came about in 1952 through the influence of Billy Graham. He was holding an evangelistic crusade at the time in Washington, DC and received permission to preach from the steps of the capitol. In his message, he challenged congress,
“What a thrilling, glorious thing it would be to see the leaders of our country today kneeling before Almighty God in prayer. What a thrill would sweep this country. What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril [as they fought in the Korean War].”[1]
Within two days of Graham’s challenge, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill to establish a National Day of Prayer. And two months later, it was signed into law by President Harry Truman. Since then, believers throughout our country have made it a point to gather together on this day to intercede for our nation and world.
May you join with us, along with millions of others, in asking God to reveal Himself afresh to our country and world.
Father,
We thank You for Your grace toward us as a nation and how You have showered us time and again with kindness we do not deserve.
Yet, we confess that we as a nation continue to wander from You. We ask that You forgive us and graciously restore us to Yourself. May You send revival to our land as You did in days of old. Convict us of our sin and open our eyes to see the love and glory of Jesus. Turn our hearts to trust in Him as our Savior and follow Him as our Lord.
We pray for our federal, state, and local leaders. May You give them wisdom in the decisions they make and guide their hearts to do what is right in Your eyes. We ask that truth, justice, and freedom would prevail in our land so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Father, we ask that You reignite within us as Your church a love for one another and a burden for the lost. May our lives bear the fruit of Your Spirit and spread the aroma of the knowledge of Christ everywhere we go. Help us build one another up into maturity. Protect us from false teaching. Wash and nourish us by Your Word. Enable us as Your servants to speak about You with great boldness.
Ukraine
Father, we bring before You the situation in Ukraine. Our hearts are broken as we see and hear the atrocities that have been done there. We ask that You bring the war to an end and restore this country that now lies in ruins.
Lord, You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. We ask that You comfort the Ukrainian believers in the midst of all they are facing with a comfort that would overflow onto those around them. May they experience You as their refuge and strength, an ever-present help in this time of trouble.
And Lord, as we see in Your Word, You can even use man’s evil intentions for good, to bring about the salvation of many. We ask that You use this evil invasion to draw many into a saving relationship with Yourself.
The Unreached
Father, we think of those in nations all around the world who have yet to hear about You. These are people whom You made and love. They are those for whom Christ died. May You open up opportunities and send forth laborers to share with them the good news of who You are and what You have done.
We also pray the millions of people who are now gathering in listening groups to hear Your Word for the first time. As they listen, may they sense You speaking to them personally. May they come to know Your love and trust in You as their Savior.
And Lord we pray for the ministries that are working to make Your Word accessible in every language by 2033. May You encourage, protect, and empower them to fulfill this great endeavor.
Father, we love You. We need You, and we long for more of You in our nation and world.
It is in Jesus’s name and for the praise of His glory that we ask these things.
Amen
[1] https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-billy-graham-and-the-national-day-of-prayer/
