Dr. Harold Shank, CCFSA national spokesperson

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“And now, the President of the United States”

Harold Shank
National Spokesperson for CCFSA

“We interrupt this program to bring you this special news bulletin.  In the capital today, the President cited the growing national crisis with a call for a nationwide day of prayer. With more on this story, we go to . . .”

Although we recognize these words from recent American television, these same lines also summarize the Old Testament book of Joel. Faced with a national emergency, Israelite leaders called the people to gather together to pray. They announced, “gather the people” (2:16) and “cry to the Lord” (1:14). The call for a national day of prayer appears twice in the book, 1:13-20 and 2:12-17.

In the midst of national uncertainty, people often turn to God. A locust plague, or perhaps a military invasion, prompts the call for national prayer in the book of Joel. The prophet sees the emergencies as a warning about the power of God. Joel uses the crises to tell the people about three coming days, one is a day of destruction, then the wonders of post-plague Jerusalem, and finally a day when God will pour out his spirit. The last prophecy is fulfilled in Acts 2 with the preaching of the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost.

Joel gives us a foundation for responding to national calamity today. It is appropriate to call for a National Day of Prayer among the churches on behalf of children. Such a day is set for October 3, 2004. It is a day for churches to pray for children who have no parents, the thousands who live in state custody, the millions who live in poverty, and the many who go to sleep hungry every night. Websites such as www.ESA-online.org provide up-to-date statistics. Given that Christians who practice pure religion are to take care of such children, a national day of prayer provides a yearly reminder.

In Joel the people are called to repent, fast, and forge a different future. Some students of Joel suggest that the book became an “order of service” for a national day of prayer and might provide current leaders with points of reflection this October 3.

“Now from the Oval Office, the President of the United States . . .”