A National Day of Prayer: 'If Ever There was a Time that America Needed Prayer, It Is Now'

ABOVE: Evangelist Andrew Palau, the co-host of the National Day of Prayer's live broadcast, appeared on Wednesday's edition of CBN News' Faith Nation to talk about the event and how God answers prayers and responds. 

On Thursday, Christians across the U.S. are joining together to call upon God for the sake of our country during the 70th annual National Day of Prayer. The theme of this year's event is "Love, Life and Liberty," drawing from the New King James Version of 2 Corinthians 3:17, which declares, "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

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Former Vice President Mike Pence shared his own prayer filled with scripture for every American in this one nation under God. "On this National Day of Prayer, whatever are our differences, they fade to insignificance as each one of us appeals for God's grace and His blessing," he prayed.

And Dr. James Dobson, founder, and president of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute said he can't recall a time in recent history when the United States was in more desperate need of God's intervention. 

"If ever there was a time that America needed prayer, it is now," Dobson, 85, said in a statement. 

The Christian leader also briefly touched on the National Day of Prayer's history. 

"In 1952, the United States Congress passed legislation directing the president to set aside one day each year as a National Day of Prayer. President Harry S. Truman signed the bill into law, and thereafter issued a proclamation urging that 'all of us, in our churches, in our homes, and in our hearts, may beseech God to grant us wisdom to know the course which we should follow, and strength and patience to pursue that course steadfastly,'" Dobson said. 

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Dobson's wife, Shirley, served on the National Day of Prayer Task Force for a quarter of a century. 

"My dear wife, Shirley, was chairperson of the National Day of Prayer Task Force for 25 years, and she shares my belief that we are facing a time unlike any other. It seems the very foundations of America are crumbling, and our culture is embracing lawlessness and depravity. These are truly dark days," he said. 

But Dobson was also quick to point out to Americans one simple fact -- light always overcomes darkness.

"But the darkness will not prevail! Though I fear what may become of this nation, there is one thing I know with great certainty: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lives! In Him, we have placed our hope and trust. We will praise Him and call on Him to bring healing to our land, to mend what is torn, and to restore what has been lost," he said. 

Dobson also asked his fellow citizens, men and women alike, to continue to pray for God's intervention. 

"I urge you to join us Thursday, uniting in prayer with brothers and sisters across the nation. If ever there was a time that America needed prayer, it is now. We serve a good and powerful God — One who can accomplish all things. Should we ever cease to plead for His intervention?" he concluded.