National Day of Prayer

The first Thursday of May is established (since 1952) as a National Day of Prayer.
The president is required by law to sign a proclamation that encourages all US Americans to pray on this day.

I have to admit that my own prayer life has changed dramatically over the recent past. While I still commune regularly with our Creator, I rarely use that time to petition for blessings for myself or for others. The time is generally spent in gratitude and reflection of purpose. I do petition God for wisdom for myself, and often ask for strength and comfort for others. 

This afternoon I will participate in a National Day of Prayer event at Mercy Hospital in Aurora MO, where I serve as a volunteer chaplain. I have declined to participate in past years because public corporate prayer now has a kind of weird feeling to me. I am honestly not sure why I decided to be a part of this year's event. My prayer will be for the co-workers and patients that come to our hospital. Because I am indeed grateful for those that serve and those that need our help, this will be an easy and genuine prayer of gratitude and encouragement. 

I don't know if you pray, to whom you pray, nor how you might structure your prayers. I don't know if you believe in a higher power or commune with a being according to your faith, whatever that faith may be.
But, if you are a person of prayer in the US -- I encourage you to remember our nation in prayer today. I am grateful for where I live and will gladly and earnestly ask for wisdom and guidance for those that have been elected to govern us.

John