As the National Day of Prayer approaches, its significance echoes louder than ever. With a theme rooted in Romans 15—”Pour out to the God of hope and be filled”—organizers are calling believers to unite in hope, faith and spiritual responsibility. Kathy Branzell, president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, joined CBN News to share why this annual observance is not just symbolic, but essential.
“We’re told in Scripture to be ready to give the reasons for our hope,” Branzell said. “Our hope isn’t in the far future. It’s now, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.'” Branzell emphasized that this theme was born out of prolonged prayer and fasting, offering a timely reminder in a world wrestling with despair and division.
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As reported by CBN News, this movement isn’t limited to America. Branzell played a role in helping Ukraine establish its own National Day of Prayer this past February—the only other nation besides the U.S. to do so. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” she said. “When you put it in the law books into history and say every day, this will be a day of prayer, I believe that God blesses that.”
In a culture often quick to dismiss “thoughts and prayers,” Branzell pushed back, offering a challenge to critics. “If you have time to complain about it, you have time to pray about it,” she said. “There is no earthly power, there is no amount of money or influence that could do what needs to be done in exchange for prayer.”
This year, tens of thousands of prayer gatherings are being mobilized nationwide—taking place in churches, parks, prisons, hospitals, and even the skies through “prayer flights” over all 50 states. A Capitol Hill observance and a national broadcast at 8 p.m. Eastern will highlight the day, co-hosted by former NFL quarterback and anti-human trafficking advocate Tim Tebow. “He is a brilliant man who loves the Lord,” Branzell said. “His life is just poured out to serving God.”
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The National Day of Prayer is more than tradition, it’s a lifeline. In times of chaos and uncertainty, prayer unites what politics and culture often divide. It acknowledges the sovereignty of God over the affairs of a nation and reminds America where true hope is found, not in Washington, not on Wall Street, but on our knees before the Lord of heaven.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
