National Day of Prayer set for May 1

In a world plagued by war, famine, disease, poverty and political unrest, we may feel helpless to change the situations around our planet, but Thursday, May 1, during the National Day of Prayer (NDP) those issues can be brought before God. People all over the country will meet in corporate and individual prayer, and Hill City is no exception. On Thursday, May 1, everyone is invited to meet for prayer at noon followed by a complimentary soup lunch at the Little White Church. In the evening there is another opportunity to gather at the Community Lutheran Church for a light supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by prayer.

The National Day of Prayer exists to mobilize unified public prayer for America, transcending individual church denominations and faith communities. The theme this year is “Pour out to the God of Hope and be Filled,” taken from the words of Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” 

A NDP is a long-standing tradition in our country beginning with a Continental Congress proclamation in 1775, before the founding of our country. President Lincoln saw the need and called for a day of prayer during the Civil War, and in 1952, after a joint resolution of Congress President Harry Truman established an annual prayer event for the United States. In 1988, Ronald Reagan designated the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer.

The 2025 NDP theme artwork, which can be seen on the ad in this edition of the Hill City Prevailer, was painted by United Kingdom artist, Julie Ann Scott. She based the image on a passage in Revelation, which talks about heaven being opened revealing Jesus on a white horse, clothed with a robe dipped in blood and followed by the armies of heaven. She also incorporated the seven lamps from Revelation 2, which according to Kathy Branzell, NDP task force president, also represent “the seven centers of influence that are covered in prayer and ‘light’ as we worship, live, learn, work, serve, consume and connect with as well.” Those seven areas are: family, church, business, education, military, government, entertainment and media and will be topics of focus in NDP events across the country May 1, including at the local events.

The NDP has been official for decades. Each year the United State president signs a document putting the U.S. government stamp of approval on the event. For 74 years, people have been connected to pray in a non-partisan way for this country, petitioning the One who oversees the activities of mankind. Even through the most intense year of COVID in 2020, organizers creatively offered opportunities to pray through video chat, phone calls, prayer drives and walks and more.

For those who are not able to get out during the day, there is another way to participate. On Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m. a 90-minute nationwide broadcast will be hosted by Branzell and Tim Tebow. Special guests are Juan and Melodee DeVevo of Casting Crowns, A.R. Bernard, Samuel Rodriguez, Dallas Jenkins of The Chosen, Dr. Tim Clinton and many more. Those at home may join in prayer and worship, with Christian leaders praying for all seven areas of influence in our culture. This broadcast can be accessed through GodTV, National Religious Broadcasting, (NRB), Christian Television Network (CTN) and Salem Radio Network or go to nationaldayofprayer.org/events/2025_broadcast. 

All are invited to join with people in Hill City at noon at the Little White Church and/or at 5:30 p.m. at Community Lutheran Church next Thursday, May 1. If local events are not an option for individuals, the national broadcast is another way to connect, and a good way to end the day.