Sometimes, the ‘United States of America’ sounds like an oxymoron. While the name itself states that we’re a united nation, politics, racial tension and other issues can often make our country feel more divided than united – especially during major election years. Some would even say that this division is felt even more so in our country within divisions of faith, particularly amongst Christians; however, on the first Thursday in May of each year, these divisions and differences melt away as U.S. citizens from all different political parties, races and denominations come together for the National Day of Prayer.
This year’s National Day of Prayer was held last week, and with a week gone by, it’s easy to forget about the unity that was celebrated on that day. It’s easy to go back to the political arguments on social media, easy to dismiss someone’s opinion because they aren’t the same faith or denomination as yourself, and it’s easy to forget that we are all a part of the United States of America – a country with the freedom to believe what we want and to feel safe in holding that belief. It may be easy to forget these things, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take the hard steps to remember why we are united – not just as a nation, but as a Church.
In a chapel on the campus of Oral Roberts University, hundreds of Tulsans gathered on this year’s National Day of Prayer in unity to pray for not only the United States of America and our leaders, but also people groups and leaders all over the world. Men and women of all ages, races and denominations gathered together to show their support of developing a culture of unity within our city. Veterans waved their miniature American flags, millennials rocked their backward ballcaps and congregational leaders from all over the city shook hands, embraced and encouraged one another throughout the event. It was a true sign that people, regardless of their background, can bond around the Name of Jesus and the hope that we all have in Him as believers in the Cross.
The National Day of Prayer is about praying together as one nation, under God. This year across our city and our nation, we did that. As many as 2 million people attended more than 30,000 National Day of Prayer observances across the country in schools, businesses, churches and homes. Let’s not forget this unity in the weeks and months to come as we continue to pray for our country, our congregations and our leaders.
-Together, we are UNITE MY CITY