Georgia Baptists prepare to join National Day of Prayer Thursday

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DULUTH — Thursday’s annual National Day of Prayer (NDP) comes at a point like no other in our country, says Marcus Merritt, prayer coordinator for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

“During these troubled times, our nation urgently needs prayer,” he points out. “God’s Word teaches us that ‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’ (Jas. 5: 16b). Imagine the result of 3,600 Georgia Baptist congregations in united prayer on Thursday!”

Marcus Merritt
Marcus Merritt

“Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth” will be the theme for the event and Habakkuk 2:14 the focus verse. The National Day of Prayer was first created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Since then it has served as an annual reminder for American Christians.

“The NDP Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer,” says Merritt. “It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.”

The Southern Baptist Convention has released a prayer guide for the event. Through it, participants are led in praying for seven “centers of influence.” They are:

  • Government
  • Military
  • Media arts
  • Business
  • Education
  • Church
  • Family.

Of course, prayer will also be extended toward those working through and responding to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. More information can be found at the National Day of Prayer website.


National Day of Prayer, prayer