Dr. James Dobson Calls on Americans to Participate in the National Day of Prayer

May 4, 2021 — This Thursday, the citizens of America will participate in the 70th annual National Day of Prayer, and I can't recall a time in recent history when our country was in more desperate need of God's intervention.

In 1952, the United States Congress passed legislation directing the president to set aside one day each year as a National Day of Prayer. President Harry S. Truman signed the bill into law, and thereafter issued a proclamation urging that "all of us, in our churches, in our homes, and in our hearts, may beseech God to grant us wisdom to know the course which we should follow, and strength and patience to pursue that course steadfastly."

My dear wife, Shirley, was chairperson of the National Day of Prayer Task Force for 25 years, and she shares my belief that we are facing a time unlike any other. It seems the very foundations of America are crumbling and our culture is embracing lawlessness and depravity. These are truly dark days.

But the darkness will not prevail! Though I fear what may become of this nation, there is one thing I know with great certainty: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lives! In Him we have placed our hope and trust. We will praise Him, and call on Him to bring healing to our land, to mend what is torn, and to restore what has been lost.

I urge you to join us on Thursday, uniting in prayer with brothers and sisters across the nation. If ever there was a time that America needed prayer, it is now. We serve a good and powerful God—One who can accomplish all things. Should we ever cease to plead for His intervention?

You can learn more about the National Day of Prayer and events in your area by visiting nationaldayofprayer.org.