by Jeanni Ritchie
Across the nation, citizens gather on the first Thursday in May to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. This year it will be held on Thursday, May 1.
This annual event encourages Americans of all faiths to unite in prayer for the nation. The National Day of Prayer was established by Congress in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated the first Thursday of May as its official date.
The 2025 theme is “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled!” from Romans 15:13.
Broadcast: There will be a National Day of Prayer Broadcast on Thursday, May 1st, at 8 p.m. ET.
Many churches host National Day of Prayer activities. Last year I attended a prayer breakfast at Philadelphia Baptist Church on Horseshoe Drive. They will host one again this year beginning at 6 AM on May 1.
Their Deville campus will hold a National Day of Prayer Service that evening from 6:30-8 PM. Visit pbcministry.com for details and contact info.
Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria will hold a Prayer Service from 12:15-1:00 PM in their Chapel. In addition to the prayer service, they will have a dedicated prayer room in A209 from 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Last year, I signed up for the National Day of Prayer’s Pray for Our States weekly text reminders. Each week a new state and a new prayer was listed. Extending the National Day of Prayer to the entire year, I was reminded just today to pray for South Carolina. Prayer should never be a one and done. With voices joining together in prayer, we make a true difference in the kingdom.
Around the holiday season, I opted in for regular “Hope” reminders as well. We get plenty of text messages that set our teeth on edge, why not sign up for the messages that remind us to render Satan toothless as well? (1 Peter 5:8)
Visit nationaldayofprayer.org
Jeanni Ritchie is a faith and community journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
