By Bermie Dizon
Each year on the first Thursday in May, thousands of people across the United States drop to their knees in prayer to the almighty God on the National Day of Prayer.
My wife, Carmelita, and I attended the National Day of Prayer coordinators meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jan. 23 to 25.
Shirley Dobson, NDP president, and her husband, James, were gracious in welcoming us.
In two workshops I attended, the lecturers praised our fellowship for the doctrinal changes we have made.
The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is America, Return to God.
It was taken from the book of Joel: "Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity" (2:12-13).
George Washington, the first president of the United States, prayed: "Almighty Father, if it is thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey thee."
National days of prayer have been observed in this country since the nation's beginning.
The first day of prayer on record was observed in 1775, before the nation's first birthday. In 1952 Congress established the National Day of Prayer, and President Harry Truman signed it into law as an official annual observance.
We hope our pastors participate and encourage members to be involved with their neighboring churches on the National Day of Prayer. If you have no events scheduled yet, you may wish to sponsor the event yourself.
For more information, contact Gwen Stein, National Day of Prayer national coordinator, at 1-719-531-3379. She can refer you to your state coordinator.
Bermie Dizon, pastor of the Pasadena A.M. church, is National Day of Prayer event coordinator for Pasadena.
April WN, page 3
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