Prayer Webcast Tonight

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Prayer Webcast Tonight

Special Report - April 8, 2010
With the 2010 “National Day of Prayer” (NDP) less than 30 days away, the NDP Task Force is hosting a live webcast tonight (Thursday, April 8) at 6:30 PM. The National Day of Prayer Webcast is aimed at helping to raise awareness and answer questions about the annual event that encourages Christians across the United States to join together in prayer for our nation on the first Thursday of every May.

The 59th annual National Day of Prayer is scheduled for May 6 this year, and the theme is “For such a time as this,” based on Nahum 1:7, which reads: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him.” Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, is the honorary chairman of the 2010 NDP. The NDP was signed into law by President Truman in 1952, and provides a nationally recognized day for Christians to assemble and pray for the nation.

The theme for this year’s NDP, “For such a time as this,” is especially important, as the NDP event faces a legal challenge brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which is arguing that all government-issued proclamations encouraging Americans to observe the NDP are unconstitutional. The FFRF originally filed a lawsuit in 2008 against NDP Chair, Shirley Dobson, as well as other members of the task force, claiming that it worked with the government to organize the event. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is defending the NDP task force in the lawsuit, and on March 2, 2010, a federal judge issued an order that dismisses Shirley Dobson from the lawsuit. However, according to ADF, the judge also ruled that the FFRF could challenge the constitutionality of the federal statute that allows a national day of prayer.

“Prayer proclamations are a long-established and cherished American tradition going back to the Founding Fathers,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. “The lawsuit against Mrs. Dobson was based on the ridiculous argument that a private citizen can violate the law by praying, and it is just another example of one radical organization’s allergic reaction to anything involving God. FFRF is showcasing to America that its true agenda is not to just silence the government, but private citizens, as well.”

Thursday’s NDP Webcast will be hosted by John Bornschein, executive director of the NDP, along with Lisa Crump and Michael Calhoun. Go here for more information or to sign up for the webcast. The NDP Task Force is urging pastors and church leaders to watch the webcast and get informed about the legal challenge to the NDP, as well as this year’s event.