Members of Concerned Women for America will take part this week when millions of voices are raised in prayer for our nation and its leaders, as events of the 52nd Annual National Day of Prayer (NDP) take place across the country on Thursday, May 1.
This year's theme is based on Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."
"President Ronald Reagan once said, 'If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a Nation gone under … ,'" said Mrs. Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. "The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for the community of faith to take advantage of our freedom to worship and keep the Lord in the public arena."
Some CWA affiliates and prayer chapters around the country will participate in and lead NDP events.
"CWA's founding 24 years ago was based on prayer and action, and has continued that way," said Barbara Plating, CWA's national field director, "so it is natural that our members around the country will join in prayer on this important day."
Members of CWA's 480 Prayer/Action Chapters nationwide meet regularly to learn about the issues, pray about legislation and cultural matters, and then to act on behalf of pro-family concerns. Their actions include contacting elected representatives, writing letters to the editor and mobilizing grassroots efforts.
CWA involvement with the National Day of Prayer includes the following:
CWA of Missouri is sponsoring a noon service in Branson, Missouri, at the City Hall. State Director Joey Davis will host the event, which will include the Veterans' Color Guard; the Pledge and National Anthem; reading of the Branson mayor's Proclamation on the Day of Prayer, worship music and, of course, prayer.
Central Texas Area Director Julie Partridge serves on the Central Texas NDP Committee, which will host a sold-out, 1000-guest prayer breakfast. The Texas State Capitol in Austin will be the site for a Bible and Prayer Marathon and noon event in the Air Rotunda.
CWA of Arizona, represented by Communications Coordinator Shiree Verdone, will take part in a two-hour program in Cave Creek. Key women in the community, representing business, politics, education, Native Americans, military and media, will lead in prayer, and women from all walks of life are invited to attend.
CWA of North Carolina will join in an event at First Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Following that State Director Mary Frances Forrester will conduct a training workshop for CWA Prayer/Action Chapter leaders.
State Director Catherine Duffy of Washington will pray at noon in Seattle's Westlake Park for families in her state. Other civic and church leaders will lift up other specific topics and groups in prayer.
For more information on CWA's state affiliates and prayer/action chapters, click here.
