National Day of Prayer 2017: Anne Graham-Lotz Urges Christians to Pray for These Three Things

By Leah Marieann Klett
prayer
Anne Graham-Lotz's father, The Rev. Billy Graham, played an important role in making the National Day of Prayer a national observance recognized by Congress. Stock Photo

Today, May 4, 2017, is National Day of Prayer -- a special time when millions of people gather to pray for our nation.

Dating back to 1775 and established in 1952, the annual observance is held the first Thursday of May. This year, the theme is "For Your Great Name's Sake," taken from the Bible verse Daniel 9:19, which reads "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, listen and do; defer not, for your own sake, O my God: for your city and your people are called by your name."

This year's chairperson is Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham and founder of AnGel Ministries. On Facebook, Lotz encouraged Christians to pray that God will bring renewal, restoration, and revival to America.

"God uses dramatic world events to get our attention," she wrote. "Jesus said in Matthew 24 in the end of the age there will be 'famines and earthquakes', 'wars and rumors of wars', 'an increase of wickedness'."

The evangelist warned that "signs are all around us", from natural disasters to human trafficking.

"When political solutions repeatedly fail to remedy what must begin with broken hearts and bended knees," she said. "When faced with God's righteous judgment, there is nothing-no politics or president, no government or agreement-nothing will turn our nation around except prayer."

On this National Day of Prayer, "Is it possible that the prayer of one person could bring renewal, restoration, and revival to America?" she asked. "Listen to me! You'll never know until you pray," Lotz said.

A livestream of National Day of Prayer's Washington D.C. observance, which will be held from 7:30-9 p.m. ET (6:30-8 p.m. CT) Thursday, is available to watch here. Lotz will deliver the keynote address at Thursday night's event.

As reported, while its origins are Christian, the National Day of Prayer is meant to be participated in by people of all religions, according to the National Day of Prayer Task Force (Task Force) website.

However, National Day of Prayer Task Force, which is privately funded and coordinates events for the holiday, said it celebrates the holiday "based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible."

Although it is not a public holiday, the day of prayer is recognized annually by the President of the U.S., and many professing Christian presidents have historically given distinctively Christian proclamations. The Rev. Billy Graham also played an important role in making the National Day of Prayer a national observance recognized by Congress, according to the Graham website.

After leading a worship service outside the U.S. Capitol, Graham famously expressed hope that one day, political leaders would kneel together before God.

"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," Graham said. "What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril."

Today, it is estimated as many as 2 million people attend more than 30,000 National Day of Prayer observances across the country, with commemorations in schools, businesses, churches and homes. Click here to find an event near you.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories