Americans must continue to pray for our country more than ever. As a nation we face unabated moral decline, economic turmoil, military conflict in the Middle East, and ever-increasing assaults against our religious liberty.  Given these urgent concerns, it's imperative that we remain on our knees in contrite supplication for our great nation.

Throughout the six decades since Congress established an annual National Day of Prayer, untold millions of Americans have come together to express humble reliance upon the Almighty God.  On May 3, 2012, citizens gathered to lift our nation and leaders before the Lord.  In doing so, we pay tribute to the example set by our Founding Fathers and by presidents down through the years who have exhorted the American people to seek God's help and deliverance during trying times.  As Abraham Lincoln presided over a war-torn land, he called on his fellow citizens to take part in a day of fasting and prayer, making this statement:    

"...it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord..."  

What a powerful reminder of the true source of our national well-being.

Because our nation continues to navigate through extremely challenging and pivotal days, the National Day of Prayer Task Force has chosen "One Nation Under God" as the 2012 theme.  The inspiration is found in Psalm 33:12, which offers this important reminder: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..."