The 64th Annual National Day of Prayer will be held on May 7. Millions of Americans will unite in prayer during thousands of prayer events taking place across the nation.

Held the first Thursday in May, this annual observance invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation, and there have been 143 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States (1789-2014).

For instance, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of prayer and fasting. President Franklin Roosevelt led the nation in prayer on D-Day, June 6, 1944, “Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity…”

The National Day of Prayer Task Force’s mission is to “mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture,” the organization’s website states.

This year’s theme is “Lord, Hear Our Cry,” based on 1 Kings 8:28 which reads, “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.”

The theme emphasizes “the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to place their faith in the unfailing character of their Creator, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men,” according to the Task Force, a privately-funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer.

Dr. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic congregations, is serving as Honorary Chairman this year. He has written a special prayer for people to pray throughout the nation http://nationaldayofprayer.org/national-prayer/.

Typically, local ministers and civic leaders also pray specific prayers for our nation, government leaders, media, schools, churches, and families.

S.D. Gordon, an American devotional writer, once said, “The greatest thing anyone can do for God and for man is to pray.” “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,” Alfred Lord Tennyson has written.

Rev. Franklin Graham asks, “Pray that as a nation we would return to God. As we call on God, let us do so by genuine faith, believing that He hears our prayers. God can heal this great land, for which our forefathers fought and died. We need spiritual renewal, we need a revival in America, and we need each and everyone to pray. Lord, Hear Our Cry!”

Take a few minutes on Thurs., May 7, (and every day of the year) to pray that God will continue to bless America and that America will return to Biblical principles and moral values upon which our country was founded.