National Day of Prayer Events

Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer, the day set aside for Americans to pray for our nation.

The tradition of a National Day of Prayer goes back to 1775 as the Colonies moved toward independence from Britain, and our nation has been holding an annual National Day of Prayer since 1952 when President Harry Truman and Congress established the event as law.

President' Bush's proclamation can be read here.

South Dakota's proclamation by Governor Mike Rounds can be read here.

You can find information on events in your area here. Cities and areas in South Dakota featuring National Day of Prayer observances include Lead, Deadwood, Blackhawk, Elkton, Faith, Flandreau, Hill City, Hot Springs, Huron, Keystone, New Effington, Pierre, Pine Ridge, Platte, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Union Center, Wessington Springs, and Yankton. Some locations, including Rapid City, will have multiple events throughout the day.

Now more than ever, our nation needs prayer. Our nation has a long tradition of turning to God in prayer during times of war and conflict. Right now, a war of values, a war of worldviews is raging across our country. In a way not seen since the Civil War threatened to tear our union apart, our freedom and identity as a nation is threatened.

Some want to trade in the worldview that made the United States the greatest, most free nation on earth in exchange for a worldview based on the whim of the moment and the morality of whoever is strong enough to be in charge--a worldview that has proven destructive and deadly by the millions around the world.

Only God can turn around this slide into the abyss. And only a people yearning for deliverance, repentant for sin and wanting to change, can call upon God to turn it around.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14