Just think what might happen if you brought a National Day of Prayer gathering into your workplace, welcoming anyone who might attend. The National Day of Prayer is recognized on the first Thursday of every May across our nation, and may provide a natural way to engage in prayer in your workplace.
We encourage everyone to participate in a community gathering, but taking part in a gathering for prayer for America in your workplace may be a great bonus. Some will be unable to attend community gatherings due to work schedules or family responsibilities. Others may not feel comfortable in larger group settings.
Regardless of what we hear in the media, I truly believe people love America. Even people who may not be Christ-followers know that America is in great need. While they may not know much about prayer, many may gather if you promise you will not make them uncomfortable or call upon them to pray, but will pray together in the workplace on the National Day of Prayer.
5 Important Things You Need to Do
In order to accomplish this in your workplace, what do you need to do?
1. Request permission from those in authority.
For clarity, the National Day of Prayer has been law in America since 1988. Both the House and the Senate unanimously recommended then-President Ronald Reagan sign a law that was amended. It made the first Thursday of May the National Day of Prayer. Your authorities need to know and understand this.
Appeal humbly to use some time during the day, whether it be before work or during lunch, to lead a prayer experience in observance of the National Day of Prayer.
2. Determine a place and a time to meet.
If you are given permission to gather, determine a place and time to meet. I would encourage you to limit the time in respect of your workplace. I suggest that it be no longer than 30-45 minutes, but a shorter gathering may even be a great place to begin. It may take some years for your gathering to grow, so be wise about the location you choose. You can always change it if needed.
3. Determine who will lead it.
You could lead this gathering of prayer for our nation yourself. You could involve a team of leaders to work with you in accomplishing this goal. If no one at your workplace feels comfortable leading, you could request a local church pastor or a group that may be leading the other gatherings in your town to come lead one for your workplace.
4. Determine the content of the gathering.
On or before Jan.17, we provided digital training on what should be considered in a gathering for the National Day of Prayer. The context should always be kept in mind. If I were leading, I would focus on:
- Prayer for local and state: 25 percent of the allotted time
- Prayer for the nation: 25 percent of the allotted time
- Prayer for unity in America, which is our 2018 theme: 50 percent of the allotted time
Again, you and your team will determine this, but this is my recommendation. We will have prayer points available online. You can end the gathering by praying The National Prayer, which permits everyone present to participate with millions of others across America in agreement.
5. Communicate with your workplace about the gathering.
Each workplace has an effective way to communicate within the organization. If permitted, use it to communicate with your coworkers. Additionally, and more importantly, invite people to come with you and ask those leading with you to do the same.
Do Not Neglect
Do not neglect participating in another gathering in your community. Then, do all you can to bring the National Day of Prayer into your workplace. Be wise, humble and keep everything balanced and non-threatening. We want people to pray for America.
Go Here for Assistance
Please go to nationaldayofprayer.org/volunteer for details. Please register your gathering and let us help you get ready for it with our digital equipping. If you have any questions, please email: [email protected] or call (800) 444-8828. We want to assist and serve you in mobilizing unified public prayer for America. {eoa}
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the senior pastor of Cross Church, president of the National Day of Prayer and past prresident of the Southern Baptist Convention.
This article originally appeared at ronniefloyd.com.
Joseph Mattera 
BJ Foster 
Shelby Bowen 
