In 1775 the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. Over the years, there have been calls for a day of prayer, including from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law in the United States. President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.
The National Prayer Committee was formed in the United States in 1972. It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer. According to the Legal Information Institute, the President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
Nigerians scarified quantum efforts since independence, and are yet to benefit from the fruit of their labor; including selfless sacrifices in the mist of surpluses. Is this a result of ignorance or fear for change that we are still living in this situation? Hence, causing Nigerians to flee to other countries, where they are molested, jailed and deported. The need to make Nigeria a better and safe place to do everything humanly beneficial to its citizenry and communities we live in is good enough reason to improve our prayer life; designating a 3- day national prayer is a step in the right direction. They need to give President Buhari a chance to make up our part, resolve our present and invest in our future should be the desire of every Nigerian, real Change is here and we should give it a chance.
Our founding fathers, despite their indifferences, are blameless for securing Nigerian independence in 1960 and left us with indelible and unbeatable legacies to date. It is such a tragedy that despite the fact that Nigerians are well educated, well-traveled, uniquely endowed with abundant human and material resources, yet we are better known for fraud, looting, corruption, and theft from our national treasury and stockpiled in other countries which use such funds for development while people in communities are languishing in abject poverty (turned into beggar thy neighbor!); destroying our villages and smaller townships. Nigerians do not bargain for this and must cease to continue under this credible administration.
To nurture and sustain change available, all hands must be on deck, ascribing to keep fighting for our ability to follow through 3 days prayer while recommending National Assembly pass Nigerian National Day of Prayer to commemorate a voluntary Day of Prayer, because of its importance Nigerians World Wide and Unity. Whilst we rely on the power of prayer, we must also uncompromisingly pursue the envisioned and envisaged change for the benefit and most of all for the betterment of our children and generations yet unborn.
APC USA International Secretariat, although borrowing from successful countries; knows far too well how important it is to the many Nigerians who rely on the powers of prayer during times of both triumph and tragedy. Our ability to gather as Nigerians, worship and pray is one of the most valuable freedoms granted to us by freedom of religion. We reiterate and encourage everyone - regardless of religion, creed, ethnicity or political persuasion, - to exercise that freedom today as we pray for the safety of our service members, our State and our Nation.
Our advocates and ardent supports are in conformity with the proposed Nigeria National Prayer Day Bill and promised to follow through with the necessary authorities for immediate consideration, that’s another way out to buttress support for General Muhammadu Buhari at this critical point in our history. APC USA International Secretariat hereby wish to acknowledge with gratitude the tireless contribution of Prof Isa Odidi (Director-General, Buhari Diaspora Campaign Support Group Center), Barrister Solomon Dalung (Transition Planning Committee Member), Hon. Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdu (National Assembly), and Senator Binta Masi Garba (National Assembly).
Francis John
APC USA International Secretariat
+1.816.359.8527
