The Upper Cumberland prepared to join the nationwide movement Thursday for the National Day of Prayer.
Middle Tennessee Coordinator Marcia Mullins said the regional observances vary by county and utilize a wide range of different venues to host the prayer gatherings.
“It is wonderful because it encompasses all generations, all families,” Mullins said. “And here in Putnam I will say we have a variety. We have people praying from age 9. We have a violinist that’s age 12 playing with his violin instructor professor who’s 93. So here we have multi-generations seeking after him, giving Him glory and honor.”
Mullins said the core purpose of the event is to foster a personal relationship with God rather than simply attending a church service. Mullins said the act of prayer is intended to be a constant attitude that can transform and change lives.
“Everyone is invited,” Mullins said. “It’s community prayer time. We drop denominational labels. We pray united in the name of Jesus and we have that one theme each year that the national task force sets forth.”
Mullins said the modern observance was established in 1952 when President Harry S. Truman signed a bill into law to create a dedicated day for prayer across the country. Mullins said the law was later amended by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to designate the first Thursday of May as the official date for the event.
“We need prayer in this nation,” Mullins said. “It is such a it’s wonderful to have that relationship with our Lord Jesus who gives us the very breath that we have, our very heartbeat. And we’re told in God’s Word pray without ceasing and that’s that attitude of prayer. It’s relationship with God. It’s not just going to church, but it’s a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus.”
Mullins said the national organization aims to mobilize prayer by coordinating more than 30,000 individual events across the United States. Mullins said the initiative seeks to involve as many people and churches as possible.
“We are mobilizing prayer across this nation,” Mullins said. “We want everyone to be actively involved. I realize some people are working. There are broadcasts to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. It’s just a wonderful event and we just want everyone to be a part of it. We are just like I said, we are just but a small part of this across the nation.”
Mullins said the national service in Washington D.C. will be live-streamed on the official National Day of Prayer website. She said the annual event follows a specific theme taken from 1st Chronicles 16:24, which calls on participants to glorify God among the nations.