Aurora author traces role of prayer in nation’s history
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By BOB REEVES/Lincoln Journal Star
Christopher Columbus believed that God had given him a special mission to carry the message of Christ to the New World. A little over a century later, the first charter of Virginia stated that the colonists came to spread “the Christian religion … to people who as yet live in ignorance of the true knowledge and worship of God.”
The Mayflower Compact of 1620 proclaimed that the pilgrims came “for the glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith.”
These are some of the evidences of the role of Christianity in American history cited in a new book, “The History of Prayer in America,” by Fern Nilson of Aurora, national area leader for the National Day of Prayer.
Nilson’s book goes on to note that in 1776, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress called for a day of prayer and fasting “that the Lord might bless the land.” During the war, Gen. George Washington prayed with his troops, and in 1789 he issued the first presidential proclamation of a National Day of Thanksgiving.
The 64-page book quotes prayers and comments about prayer by presidents ranging from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison to John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. It also tells how the words “under God” came to be added to the Pledge of Allegiance and quotes the many Bible verses that are inscribed on monuments and buildings in Washington, D.C.
“Whether it was the mission of our early settlers, the statement of our founding fathers, the establishing of the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, or our presidents calling our nation to prayer, they all point to America being a nation founded on godly principles and God’s blessing,” Nilson writes.
Nilson said she decided to write the book after realizing that public school textbooks tend to omit or downplay the importance of Christianity and prayer in the nation’s history.
“I’m convinced that if our young people don’t know where we’ve come from as a nation, they won’t know what to return to when they take over our country’s leadership in their generation,” she said. “My desire is that this book will make a difference in each student’s life and the life of our nation.”
Nilson has worked for 17 years with the National Day of Prayer, established in 1952 by an act of Congress and observed throughout the nation on the first Thursday in May. Nilson was Nebraska state coordinator of the observance for 15 years, and the last four years she was a national area leader, serving on the national staff of the National Day of Prayer.
On Oct. 22 she received the 2005 coordinator of the year award at the annual National Day of Prayer Conference in Colorado Springs. Shirley Dobson, national chairman of the National Day of Prayer, presented Nilson with a special plaque honoring her for some 40 years of Christian work, including involvement with Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian Women’s Clubs and the Billy Graham crusade.
Nilson said she has been amazed at the response to her book. The first printing of 1,000 copies was released late last month, and a second printing of 1,000 is already planned. The goal is to print at least 5,000 copies, she said.
“I’ve never been blessed so much in my life,” Nilson said. “People read the book and say, ‘God bless you for writing this,’” she said.
“The History of Prayer in America” costs $12.99. It was published by Boler Concepts (www.bolerconcepts.com). It’s available at Lemstone Christian Store, 7621 Karl Dr., or by calling Nilson at (402) 694-3872.
Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or breeves@journalstar.com.
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