The Bulverde / Spring Branch VFW Post 12205 Color Guard will present the colors for this event.  Please come and show your support!!

(From the City of Bulverde website)

HISTORY OF NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Throughout history, there have been few national days of prayer. In fact, there were only a few noteworthy ones between the 1700s – 1900s. The National Day of Prayer that we know today was founded in 1952, and it was a co-founded effort between the United States Congress and President Harry S. Truman.

The holiday was signed into law by President Truman, and every president since has signed a proclamation that encourages Americans to pray on and celebrate this day. The national holiday has always been the first Thursday of May every year since it was founded in 1952. It stands as a day that continues the decision-making of the country’s founding fathers, which used the morals from biblical lessons in difficult situations. Basically, using God’s guidance to make important decisions in the country and for yourself. Just like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the National Day of Prayer has become recognized by Americans nationwide, and it is even recognized and celebrated in all Hallmark calendars.

Knowing that America was founded by people of European descent with predominantly Christian backgrounds, it’s no surprise that this holiday was originally created to celebrate the Christian faith. National Day of Prayer was an effort to ask American citizens “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

According to the National Day of Prayer website, there’s a need for every individual to take time to personal repentance and prayer and to mobilize the Christian community. However, there are no laws saying National Day of Prayer can’t be celebrated by all cultures, beliefs, and religions, and as America grew to become a multicultural nation, it is widely celebrated by more than just those in the Christian community.

(From the National Day of Prayer website):

2023 National Prayer For America

We come with fervent hearts to praise You Lord.

You are The Word, the Way, Truth and Life.

The Alpha and Omega, Lion of Judah, Almighty God

who was, and is, and is to come. You clothed

Yourself in flesh and dwelt among us, to remove

our sin and clothe us in Your righteousness that

we might dwell with You forever and ever.

With broken, humbled hearts we repent of our

sins. Confessing to You our faithlessness,

prayerlessness, and disobedience. Forgive us for

our doubt, our prideful and quarrelsome words

that reveal our unclean hearts. Cleanse us and

renew a right and steadfast spirit within us we

pray.

With grateful hearts we thank You fervently for

the blessings in our life and throughout

America; they are more than we are able to

count. We will remember Your grace and testify

to Your goodness in all generations. Help us to

refrain from complaining, but instead be

prompted to pray faithfully in every

circumstance. Teach us to have a content heart

knowing You are always enough for our every

need.

As the Church we commit to pray and love our

neighbor and nation as You loved us, that our

reputation in this world would be rooted in Your

love. Holy Spirit work and overflow through us

in every prayer, thought, word, and deed. May

our character, conversations, and conduct

reflect the righteousness in which You clothed

us and command us to live.

With an obedient heart we put on the full armor

of God; Your breastplate of righteousness

guards our heart from which flows the springs of

life. We pray fervently for our communities and

country; the people who are in the Church,

Family, Education, Business and Workplace,

Military, Government, Arts, Entertainment and

Media. Every person is Your workmanship,

fearfully and wonderfully created and loved.

With hopeful hearts we pray that all would

choose to receive Your love and follow You. We

pray that America would confess, “Jesus is

Lord” and reflect Your righteousness in every

sphere of influence, and every aspect of our

lives. We ask that heavenly hope would flood

our hearts, silence hate, and that You will heal

our land.

Believing You; all You are, all You said, and all

You have promised, we pray fervently in

righteousness and avail much. In Jesus Name

we pray, Amen!

Kathy Branzell

President, National Day of Prayer Task Force

Spanish Version

Venimos con corazones fervientes para alabarte, Señor. Eres la Palabra, el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida. El Alfa y el Omega, León de Judá, Dios Todopoderoso que fue, y es, y está por venir. Te vestiste de carne y habitaste entre nosotros, para perdonar nuestro pecado y vestirnos en tu justicia para que podamos morar contigo por siempre y para siempre.

Con corazones rotos y humildes, nos arrepentimos de nuestros pecados, confesándote nuestra falta de fe, falta de oración y desobediencia. Perdónanos por nuestra duda, nuestro orgullo y palabras pendencieras que revelan nuestros corazones inmundos. Límpianos y renueva un espíritu recto y firme en nuestro interior.

Con corazón de gratitud te agradecemos fervientemente por las bendiciones en nuestra vida y en todo Estados Unidos; estas bendiciones son más de las que somos capaces de contar. Recordaremos Tu gracia y daremos testimonio de Tu bondad en todas las generaciones. Ayúdanos a no quejarnos, pero en su lugar seamos conmovidos a orar fielmente en todas las circunstancias. Enséñanos a tener un corazón contento sabiendo que siempre eres Suficiente para todas nuestras necesidades.

Como Iglesia, nos comprometemos a orar y amar a nuestro prójimo y nación como Tú nos amaste, para que nuestra testimonio en este mundo esté fundado en Tu amor. El Espíritu Santo trabaja y se desborda a través de nosotros en cada oración, pensamiento, palabra y acción. Que nuestro carácter, conversaciones y conducta reflejen la justicia con la que nos has vestido y nos has ordenado a vivir.

Como Iglesia, nos comprometemos a orar y amar a nuestro prójimo y nación como Tú nos amaste, para que nuestra testimonio en este mundo esté fundado en Tu amor. El Espíritu Santo trabaja y se desborda a través de nosotros en cada oración, pensamiento, palabra y acción. Que nuestro carácter, conversaciones y conducta reflejen la justicia con la que nos has vestido y nos has ordenado a vivir.

Con un corazón obediente nos ponemos la armadura completa de Dios; Tu coraza de justicia protege nuestro corazón de la que fluyen los manantiales de la vida. Clamamos fervientemente por nuestras comunidades y país: las personas que están en la Iglesia, la familia, la educación, los negocios y el lugar de trabajo, el ejército, el gobierno, las artes, el entretenimiento y los medios de comunicación. Cada persona es obra de tus manos, admirable y maravillosamente creada y amada. Con corazones esperanzados, oramos para que todos elijan recibir tu amor y seguirte. Oramos para que Estados Unidos confiese, "Jesús es el Señor" y refleje Su justicia en todas las esferas de influencia y en todos los aspectos de nuestras nuestras vidas. Pedimos que nuestra esperanza celestial inunde nuestros corazones, silencie el odio y que tú sanes nuestra tierra.

Creemos en todo lo que eres, todo lo que dijiste y todo lo que has prometido, clamamos fervientemente en rectitud sabiendo que la oración del justo puede mucho. ¡En el nombre de Jesús oramos, Amén!