Take the time to pray

On April 17, 1952, President Truman initiated a law calling on the President to set a National Day of Prayer every year; a day where Americans can “turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” In 1988, Congress specified the President should choose the first Thursday in May for this day.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) – “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. What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril,” wrote Billy Graham to President Truman and other members of Congress, leading to the first National Day of Prayer.

Although the peril suffered in the 1950s is much different than that being experienced today, prayer is no less important. We are now living in a time where countries are turning their backs on struggling refugees, money has become more important than opening our hearts to those in need, and petty political conflict overshadows a nation’s true troubles of debt and inequality.

According to the Pew Research Center, 84 percent of the world’s population is religious. The freedom to pray is one of the most important foundations of America, and we need not forget this. Prayer has the power to bring together those of different race and background.

It is one of the greatest gifts we are granted – a direct line to God himself.

So today, on National Prayer Day, LET US PRAY.

Pray for your neighbor suffering the unexplainable. Pray for the police officer putting his life in danger every day. Pray for the young adults struggling to find their place in this world. Pray for the new lives entering a world full of terror and war. Pray for our world leaders and their ability to come together and make the nations a better place.

When praying, simply listen to your heart; Jesus will show you the way. There is no right or wrong way to pray; just pray.