“Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13
It is once again with overwhelming joy and profound gratitude that I reach out to you, reflecting on the incredible blessings that unfolded during this year's National Day of Prayer gatherings. Today, we give thanks to God, knowing that our world is much brighter than it was on May 2nd because of you and the millions of people who joined together in praying bigger, brighter, and bolder prayers for America. We know, as the Bible tells us so, that those millions of effectual, fervent prayers are right now—present tense—availing much!
This year, the tens of thousands of National Day of Prayer gatherings held across our nation served as a magnificent tapestry, woven with the threads of God's faithfulness and the transformative power of prayer reaching millions. The broadcast of our National Prayer Observance from the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. alone, reached 110 million homes in the U.S. and 2 billion people worldwide with a call to prayer and a clear presentation of the Gospel. As the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, I had the immense privilege of personally witnessing the remarkable impact that fervent prayer had on individuals, communities, and our nation as a whole.
Our 2024 theme, "Lift Up the Word - Light Up the World," resonated deeply with millions, urging us all to dive deep into the Word of God. Reminding us that our prayers, offered with passionate intensity and in alignment with God's will, possess immeasurable power to bring about lasting transformation and change, lighting up the world with His glory!
During this year's gatherings, we witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of fervent prayer, igniting the hearts of believers across the nation. Together, we sought God's face, interceded for our land and leaders, and lifted up heartfelt supplications for healing, unity, revival, and spiritual awakening. The collective prayers of the righteous reverberated across our land, and because of God’s promises in His Word, millions experienced a tangible sense of God's power and presence pouring forth!
The testimonies that flowed from these prayer gatherings served as a testament to the power of the prayers of God’s people. Lives were forever changed, chains were broken, and hearts were restored as God's people fervently sought His face. We marveled at the stories of individuals encountering breakthroughs, experiencing healing, and witnessing divine interventions—undeniable answers to the prayers lifted up on that day. But the answers to our prayers have not stopped or even slowed down!
As we have pressed forward toward the fall and through our Annual Leadership Training Summit in San Diego, we are standing on the profound promises in Romans 12:9-13, “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
This passage speaks powerfully to our current moment in history. In a world where the enemy actively sows hopelessness, selfishness, and fear, God calls us to rejoice in hope as we remain focused and fervent in our spiritual walk, and to be steadfast, dedicated, and devoted to prayer. It is through our prayers and petitions to Him, the One with the power to change things, that we can see real transformation in our lives, our churches, our communities, our leaders, and our nation.
As we look ahead to the upcoming elections this November, it's easy to be consumed or confused by the uncertainty and challenges facing us as a nation and as individuals. Many posts, memes, and newscasts seem to spread fear and hopelessness. Yet, as believers, our hope does not rest in the media, earthly leaders, or political outcomes. Our true and eternal hope is found in Jesus Christ, Who reigns supreme, over all. He is the One who can heal our land and bring true unity and peace.
Our responsibility as His followers is to remain faithful and fervent in spirit, as Romans 12:11 encourages us. This means staying engaged in our culture through faith, actively serving the Lord, and rejoicing in hope even when tribulation comes! We must be devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, and practicing hospitality. These actions reflect the heart of Jesus and serve as a testimony to everyone around us. Our devotion to prayer is not just a personal spiritual discipline, but a collective force that can bring about God's will on earth.
Let’s face it: the enemy seeks to sow division, despair, and discord, but we are called to a higher purpose and place. We are called to detest what is evil and cling to what is good. In practical terms, this means believing God and His Word and extending love and grace, even when it is challenging, because that is how God calls us to live. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is committed to fostering a spirit of prayer and unity across our nation.
Our annual gatherings are a powerful reminder that when God's people come together in prayer, incredible things can happen. We seek God's guidance, wisdom, and blessing for our nation, knowing that He is the ultimate source of hope and transformation. Beyond the first Thursday in May, our network of almost 19,000 volunteer coordinators is busy seven days a week, 365 days a year. They are the prayer warriors and ministry leaders who are devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, and practicing hospitality—right there in your community, and in mine.
With your generous support, we can continue to promote this message of hope and mobilize prayer across America. Your gift will enable us to reach more people, mobilize more prayer, organize more gatherings, and spread the powerful truth of God’s love and faithfulness. Together, we can make a significant impact, reminding everyone around us that Jesus is our hope, now and always. Your financial support is crucial to our mission. Your gift allows us to create resources, host events, engage with communities nationwide, and host a broadcast that reaches billions of people around the world. Every single gift, no matter how large or small, helps us to expand our reach and ensure that more people hear this message of hope.
By contributing to the National Day of Prayer Task Force, you are playing a vital role in bringing about the spiritual awakening that our nation desperately needs. With all of this in mind, would you prayerfully consider partnering with us again this year by giving a generous one-time gift or becoming a regular monthly donor to the National Day of Prayer Task Force? Your contribution will help us to mobilize millions and bring hope and healing to a nation in desperate need. Thank you for standing with us in faith and prayer. May the Lord bless you abundantly as you place your hope in Him.
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President