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Tomorrow is an important day in the life of our nation. All across this land, in cities and towns, people will gather to pray for God to move in power across this land.

As America approaches the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1, the event stands as a testament to the power of collective prayer and its enduring significance in the nation’s history. The theme of this year’s Day of Prayer is “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled,” based on Romans 15:13.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Prayer has always been an integral part of our nation’s history. The Founding Fathers recognized the importance of prayer, and many of them were deeply religious. They believed that prayer was a way to seek guidance, wisdom and strength from a higher power. Throughout our nation’s history, we have faced many challenges, and prayer has been a constant source of comfort and hope.

We will never fully know how prayer has quietly influenced every aspect of American life — bringing comfort to service members on the battlefield, grounding the spirits of astronauts in space, guiding the healing hands of medical professionals tending to our loved ones, and fortifying the faiths of millions of worshipers in every corner of our nation.

Locally, the Day of Prayer will be observed in a service Thursday at noon at the Carter County Courthouse, and the public is not only invited but encouraged to attend.

More than ever, we need leaders who are unafraid to speak the truth and confront the many injustices that are stumbling blocks on the journey. The words of the prophet Micah offer us a challenge to translate our prayer into action:

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

If we’re truly honest, our prayer will help us examine what it means to be a nation rooted in values and laws influenced by the faith and traditions of multicultural people.

If our prayer is really honest, we will begin to see the injustices that continue to degrade and oppress those who continue to walk with no feet because of the color of their skin, their sexuality or gender, immigration status, or the many things that discriminate and exclude human beings made in God’s image and likeness.

We have the makings of a great nation, but without God, America could be the Sodom and Gomorrah of our day.

Our country has seldom been more divided than it is today. Our contemporary social, economic and political disputes seem intractable. Maybe that’s not so. No matter what threatens our great country’s security and unity, we have the option to leave it in the hands of God or a higher power.

Sometimes all that surrounds us can be overwhelming, but prayer, reflection and meditation can all be ways to slow down and center ourselves in conversation with God for our understanding.

When you pray, keep in mind the people, places, divisions and issues that need healing and hope as we seek to find our feet and begin to look for a new day of unity and peace.

Today, our nation faces many challenges. It seems there are groups doing all they can to destroy our great nation. These challenges can seem overwhelming, but we must remember that prayer can be a powerful force for change. When we come together in prayer, we can find comfort, peace and strength to face whatever lies ahead.

This National Day of Prayer is not just about asking for blessings, but it is also about seeking God’s will and guidance for our lives. As we pray for our nation, we must remember that we are not just praying for ourselves, but we are also praying for our neighbors, our communities and our world.