CRC Joins U.S. National Day of Prayer

In observance of the National Day of Prayer in the United States, the Christian Reformed Church in North America is hosting three virtual prayer gatherings on Thurs., May 7, via Zoom conferencing.

The CRC prayer times tomorrow will be at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. There will also be a Spanish-language prayer room at 7 p.m. To sign up for any of these prayer times, fill out this form for the time(s) when you would like to attend.

Prayer gatherings across the U.S. have turned this year to online formats because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has required people to refrain from taking part in large public events.

Since Synod 1958 the CRC has urged that “Our churches must be open to our congregations and our fellow [citizens] on such occasions, when God in his providence leads those in civil authority to call our citizenry to pray. We must pray for and with our country” (Acts of Synod 1958, p. 27).

“This year our church buildings cannot be open, but in the midst of the suffering and fear caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, we can join our hearts in prayer for our nation and our world,” said Colin Watson, Sr., acting executive director of the CRCNA.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation."

To help people participate in this call to prayer, which is especially urgent this year, the CRC has made available a range of prayer resources. These include articles on prayer, various prayers, suggested readings, and a short promotional video in which CRC pastors and others invite people to pray.

Highlighting the event and welcoming people to pray is this Scripture passage from 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”