Prayer: A Daily Thing!

Today (the first Thursday in May) is the National Day of Prayer. The law formalizing this annual observance was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1952 to encourage citizens “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

I personally do not observe the National Day of Prayer. Never have. Never will. I do believe such an observance is constitutional. But I have no need for government to tell me when or where or how I should pray.

For the Christian every day is a time for prayer. Faith in Christ lives from His Word and Sacrament and involves a daily drowning of the Old Adam (our sinful nature) and renewing of the New Man (Christ in us) through remembrance of one’s baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. Such faith leads the Christian back to God’s house regularly first and foremost to be renewed and strengthened and then to add his Amen to “the prayers” of the Church (Acts 2:42). Then he returns home and, by God’s grace, brings his prayers daily to the Triune God. The Lord’s Prayer. The Psalms. The Kyrie. Luther’s morning, evening, and meals prayers. On and on this list goes.

Prayer is the Christian’s calling. “Be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). “Devote yourselves to prayer” (1 Corinthians 7:5). “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

That is why I do not observe the National Day of Prayer. Prayer is not a once a year observance. It is a daily thing for the Christian.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. [1 Timothy 2:1-6]

So call upon God in every trouble. Pray, praise, and give thanks. And then trust that He will answer your prayers according to His good and gracious will!