America Marks National Day of Prayer in Remembrance of Hurricane Victims
Through events large and small, public and private, people will take time today to pray, remember, and grieve as the nation looks forward with hope for recovery and healing.
Christians nationwide will be joining President Bush’s call for a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Through events large and small, public and private, people will take time today to pray, remember, and grieve as the nation looks forward with hope for recovery and healing.
In various locations and events throughout the nation, Christians will be among those who will take time to reflect on the sufferings of those who experienced the loss of loved ones, the resilience of those who survived, and the tens of thousands of volunteers helping them recover.
President Bush was one of many calling to rebuild the devastated U.S. Gulf Coast in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in the nation’s history. In a televised address to the nation this morning, the President noted the steadfast faith in God from those who had suffered much and the country’s determination to “build better than before.”
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“Across the Gulf Coast, among people who have lost much, and suffered much, and given to the limit of their power, we are seeing that same spirit: A core of strength that survives all hurt, a faith in God no storm can take away, and a powerful American determination to clear the ruins and build better than before.”
Although the federal government will take the lead to work with local governments to rebuild devastated infrastructure such as schools, roads and bridges, much of the rebuilding will take place spiritually. At national events such as the one President Bush is scheduled to attend at Washington National Cathedral today, victims will be remembered and prayed for during a one-hour service led by Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Potter’s House Church in Dallas.
Local events, such as one called by Gov. Bob Riley (R-Ala.) at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Ala., will also take place. When the governor announced the event on Wednesday, he said the nation was again looking toward God.
“Once again our nation turns to God for the strength, hope and healing that only He can provide,” he said, according to WSFA-TV in Montgomery.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force, which has called on Americans to join local efforts, is also working online to give visitors to its site access to prayer resources related to today’s event. In a prayer written by Blackaby Ministries president Henry T. Blackaby and posted for download at the NDP web site, people were asked to join together in prayer.
“O Lord, we know that tragedies never change Your love or Your presence among us,” Blackaby’s prayer begins. “Tragedies are moments when you make Your love real and personal to those who trust You and call on You. Your presence gives us hope because all of life’s circumstances are always under Your loving control. It is Your presence among us that allows a watching world to see the compassion that You have for us all.”
Also making efforts online is the Presidential Prayer Team ministry, that will be holding a virtual prayer rally to enable people to join others in prayers for victims by signing up for a specific hour of prayer on Friday.
“On the virtual prayer rally, we’re having over 24 hours, a block of one hour time frame to be able to concentrate and focus their prayer on this terrific tragedy,” said John Lind, President and CEO of the grassroots ministry dedicated to praying for the President. Lind will be one of thousands in Washington, D.C., who will be taking part in today’s national event at Washington National Cathedral.
The prayer points available once a person has signed up reflect the ongoing events regarding the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the concerns President Bush has spoken about since the tragedy began.
There is a call to pray for the President and his cabinet, rebuilding efforts, victims affected by the storm, comfort for those who lost loved ones, healing for the injured, spiritual and emotional support for those traumatized, and provision of material needs for those in need.
It also asks that prayers be made so that there is "continued witness of the goodness of God and His Church as believers rise up to meet the needs of the victims—for God to be utterly glorified in this."
For more information regarding the President’s call for a National Day of Prayer, please visit the following sites:
www.nationaldayofprayer.org
www.presidentialprayerteam.org
