Just a quick glance at the headlines reveals the grave difficulties our nation is currently facing. Challenging times such as these underscore the importance of turning to God for wisdom and guidance. With that in mind, the 2009 National Day of Prayer on May 7 is focused on the hope and power that are available to those who call upon Him in prayer.

From Orlando, Fla., to Chico, Calif., and many places in between, we are seeing evidence of prayers being answered. The crime rate in Orlando was reduced following a 40-day prayer vigil organized by the city police department. And since 2001, teams of prayer warriors have walked the streets of Chico. As a result, the crime rate there has been reduced 25 percent.

However, not everyone embraces the value of encouraging the nation to pray. In 2008, Shirley Dobson and others were named in a lawsuit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which alleged that the NDP Task Force had worked “hand-in-glove” with the government to organize the National Day of Prayer.

In reality, the NDP Task Force is a nonprofit organization with no government affiliation whatsoever. The lawsuit stems from the FFRF’s determination to silence the voices of Christians in the public square. In response, the Alliance Defense Fund has launched the “Save the National Day of Prayer” campaign (www.savethendop.org).

“Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence upon God,” said Shirley Dobson. “However, there has been a concerted effort by a small but determined number of people who have tried to prohibit all public references to the Creator, whether it be in the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance, or a simple act of corporate prayer. This is unconscionable for a free society.”

On the National Day of Prayer, citizens will gather at national monuments, military bases, stadiums, nursing homes, schools, town squares, churches and other venues to pray.

Events are planned in prisons, state capitols, homeless shelters, and even on airplanes. Participants will pray not only for their local and national leaders, but also for America’s military, media, businesses, education system, churches and families.

“The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for the community of faith to exercise our freedom to join in worship and prayer as guaranteed by the Constitution,” said NDP Task Force Vice Chairman Brian Toon. “More than ever, we must join together in the belief that prayer is America’s hope.”