For the first time ever, the National Day of Prayer will meet online instead of in-person because of coronavirus shutdowns across the nation.
Marking its 69th year of observance, the National Day of Prayer 2020 has the potential to be the largest prayer “gathering” in American history as millions of people will be praying together in online events, CBN News reports.
The first Thursday in May was named a National Day of Prayer by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, revising the law that was initially recognized by President Truman in 1962.
Typically, people would gather in over 60,000 local events to pray for America.
A Thursday evening livestream on Pray.com will feature Vice President Mike Pence along with Pastor Jack Graham, Pastor Greg Laurie, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, William Franklin Graham III, and Dr. Tony Evans at 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific.
"Our nation needs prayer now more than ever, and so it is fitting that we gather on this day to remind us that we should seek the Almighty God every day in prayer," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Christian leaders are stressing unity now more than ever amid the current crisis.
"For many years, we've come together on the National Day of Prayer to lift up our country in prayer," Dr. Jack Graham said.
"Although we can't gather in our nation's capital this year due to the pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to come together virtually and exalt the name of God and worship Him in the midst of this crisis."
"Christian leaders from throughout the country will participate – praying for the advancement of the kingdom and the proclamation of the Gospel as we seek to provide hope to the hurting through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," Graham added.
The virtual National Day of Prayer gathering will take place Thursday night from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Leading the event will be President Kathy Branzell of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and Will Graham with The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Additional guests include Pastor Rick Warren, Evangelist Nick Hall, Senators Lankford, Chris Coons, Tim Scott, and Dr. Pat Robertson with CBN.
Related:
'God Will Lead Us Through' the Valley, Trump Says in National Day of Prayer Proclamation
National Day of Prayer, Reshaped By Pandemic, Includes Interfaith and Online Events
National Day of Prayer Reminds Us We Are Not in Control, But We Can Trust God
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla/Staff
Video courtesy: The White House
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
