For 16 years, Mrs. Shirley Dobson has served as chairman of the National Day of Prayer (NDP). This year, she has added another campaign — a call to seek God’s guidance for the elections.
“As long as God is on His throne, there is always hope,” says Mrs. Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder and Chairman Dr. James Dobson.
She spoke with CitizenLink about the two critical prayer campaigns.
1. What is so important about this election?
I believe our country is at a crossroads. Whoever is elected president will play a pivotal role in determining the future of our country. It’s imperative people go to the polls and elect a candidate whose leadership will reflect a moral and principled perspective.
2. Tell me about the election prayer campaign and this year's National Day of Prayer.
National Day of Prayer has just launched a campaign we’re calling Pray for Election Day.
To remind people to (pray), we are asking them to put a red dot on their watches, their computers, their cell phones, their steering wheels, their bathroom mirrors. They can get these red dots at their local office supply store.
The Scriptures tell us that God sets up the king, and he takes down the king. And he turns the king’s heart like a watercourse, however he wishes. It’s very important we seek God’s guidance on the leadership of this nation.
This year’s (NDP) theme is Prayer: America’s Strength and Shield. We took it from the supporting Scripture out of Psalm 28:7, which says, “The Lord is my strength and shield. My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.”
Every year is unique because of the things we pray about. This year, of course, we’re concerned about who will lead this nation for the next four to eight years, as well as who will be elected in the congressional races. We really feel that prayer is incredibly important this year.
3. How can parents raise their children to be involved citizens?
You have the candidates presenting their ideas and views and vision on television and on computers also, so I think it’s a lot easier. Parents need to sit down and talk with their children, “What does this candidates stand for? What are the values and issues that we stand for, as a family? And how do these line up with ours?” I would make it a part of family discussion every day.
4. Why are you so passionate about prayer?
I’m a product of prayer. When I was 6 years of age, I attended a little Sunday school class not very far from our home, and I was taught how to pray. I started a prayer life when I was just a young girl kneeling by my bed. The Lord has been so close to me in prayer. Not all of my prayers have been answered, but I have seen a lot of them fulfilled. It certainly has been my strength and shield.
I would encourage parents to teach their children to pray when they’re very young, and to depend upon the Lord for their protection and guidance.
5. What gives you hope for our nation?
We’re living in very serious and uncertain times. Without God, we will never be able to navigate the turbulent waters that we’re going through. As long as God is on His throne, there is always hope. Our signature verse for the National Day of Prayer is 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “If My people who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land.”
If we follow God’s instructions, there is hope and there is healing.
This interview first appeared in the March issue of Citizen magazine.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
This year’s National Day of Prayer is May 1. You can find more information online.
