This National Day of Prayer, May 7, 2020, will be like no other. Since its inception in May 1952, under President Harry S. Truman, the day has been observed with large public events. While the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the shutdown of all public events, prayer has never been more essential and this important event will still take place – online.

Pastors from across the state told the Illinois Family Institute how important they feel it is to pray not only on the National Day of Prayer, but every day. Joey Krol, pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Decatur shared, “One of the effective ways of measuring your spiritual walk is by examining how connected you are in prayer. Jesus said in John 15:5, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.’”

Krol urged during this pandemic, “Now is the time to be the Church. Now is the time to be on our knees. Now is the time to be a people of prayer. In this time of uncertainty, confusion and fear, let us be so connected to the Vine that when others see us, they will give their hearts to the Prince of Peace.”

Calvin Lindstrom, pastor of Church of Christian Liberty in Arlington Heights, pointed to the power of God. “So often we focus more on how feeble and inarticulate our words are rather than focusing on God’s mighty power,” Lindstrom said. “It is good that we know we have no power in our ourselves. It is good that we are humbled in the face of the problems we are facing. The power of prayer is that God has commanded His people to pray, and that nothing He determines to do can be frustrated.”

This National Day of Prayer comes at a perfect time as our nation faces a crisis like one not seen in generations. Sensing the urgency, Pastor Richard Giovannetti of Standing in the Word Ministries in Morris, told IFI, “With a desperate and hurting nation rapidly bleeding out her freedom, the words, ‘The Effectual Fervent Prayer of the Righteous Man Avails Much’ shout at us with critical urgency… ‘Is There Not A Cause?'”

Further calls for serious prayer came from Myles Holmes, pastor of REVIVE Church in Collinsville. “Seasons of national crisis call for Prophetic Prayer,” Holmes said. “Prophetic Prayer is intercession that calls for the purposes of God to be revealed so that His Kingdom will come and His Will is done. This includes help for His people, but is even more intent for His Glory to be revealed.”

David E. Smith, executive director of IFI, summed up why it is important we pray during this time. “We have a loving and merciful God of compassion who invites our prayers,” said Smith. “His Word tells us repeatedly to turn to Him in the midst of challenges and trials. We are encouraged to take shelter in Him as our refuge and our strength. He is our sure rock in the midst of any storm, the Light that pierces every darkness, and an anchor of hope for those who contend with despair. We should embrace every opportunity to bring our appeals before Him.”

Will Graham, an evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the grandson of the late Billy Graham, will co-host the live-stream along with the National Day of Prayer Task Force President Kathy Branzell from 7-9 p.m. central time. Guests include Harry Jackson, Nick Hall, Gabrielle Odom, Luis Palau, Michael W. Smith, Rick Warren, and others.

Watch the event online at NationalDayOfPrayer.org or at facebook.com/natlprayer. It will also be broadcast on television via GodTV and DayStar, in addition to radio over the Moody and Bott networks.

NOTE: The Illinois National Day of Prayer and Illinois Prayer Caucus Network have organized a conference call for Thursday at 11 AM – 12:15 PM. The call in number is (978) 990-5001 and the access code is 601577#. (They will be recording the call.)

This year’s theme is “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth,” which is based on Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

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A spokesman for today’s National Day of Prayer tells more about the inspiration for this year’s event.  

Vice Chair John Bornschein points out that American troops are still in harm’s way, the economy is weak, and religious freedom is threatened. So Americans are gathering in solidarity to pray for those and other issues. The National Day of Prayer Task Force says it is critical to remain in prayer.

“The theme is ‘One Nation Under God,’ and we chose that because we felt it is very fitting to remind Americans that indeed we are a nation united under God, that by his hand of provision we have been blessed as a people as a direct result,” Bornschein explains. That theme is based off of Psalm 33:12, which says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

And he reports that the annual even really has its roots from 1775.

“Our founders knew that as they were laying the foundations of this nation that they had to remind Americans that we need to give bended knee to almighty God, that we do not have accumulative wisdom sufficient to navigate the challenges of our day, that we need God’s direction and guidance for all leaders within all centers of influence and power in America,” the vice chair asserts.

Since then, there have been about 900 proclamations asking Americans to intercede on their behalf. So Americans are encouraged to attend National Day of Prayer events around the nation. If that is not possible, however, Bornschein says they can pause for a few minutes wherever they are and pray for the country.

As part of the national effort, the Pulse Movement is conducting its own event. (Listen to audio report)

The Pulse Movement, a student-led initiative in response to the urgent needs facing young people, began at the University of North Dakota and has spread onward as a student-led evangelistic and prayer movement. Spokesman Nick Hall says the organization is presenting its second annual UNITE National Day of Prayer gathering tonight.

“Even in the ministry that we do, we always talk with students and say we’re either prayerful or prideful,” he accounts. “It’s so important to remain dependent on God and remember where our power comes from, where our hope comes from.”

According to Hall, a key part of the Pulse Movement is to bring the Body of Christ together in prayer and repentance, seeking God’s response and blessing. Tonight’s UNITE event will be streamed on the Internet.

“Basically, what has happened in our ministry and movement is the students kind of from the ground up have said we want to see multi-generational prayer happen — that God would move across our nation and that we would be able to partner old and young, young and old holding hands, coming to Christ, saying Jesus, we need you to move across denominational lines and across political lines,” the spokesman shares.

Anyone can participate online from 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Central).