A letter from our founder…

Whether you are politically involved or not, there isn’t a person in America who can say with the utmost confidence “Everything is OK. Nothing needs to change.” I can honestly say that I have a good life. My family is happy. We aren’t struggling to make ends meet. We aren’t fighting as a family. We all get along and do our part in our family unit. Are we a perfect family? No. But, our family is good. If all I counted on as a litmus test for the world was what happened inside the four walls of my house, I would have to say, “All is well.”

However, that would be naive. There is a whole world of people and events buzzing around me and I can confidently say, based on my observations, “All is NOT well.” I do not have to look hard or investigate deeply to find pain, suffering, heartache, disruption, brokenness, panic, fear, distrust, despair and disbelief.

There is pain in the Family due to health issues, job loss, disobedient and defiant children.

There is disruption in the Schools as teachers have lost their ability to simply teach and focus on every child. There is disbelief and heartache over the lack of knowledge imparted to our children during their many years of school.

There is despair and distrust in the State due to mismanaged budgets, increased taxes, and increased regulations on business.

There is anger in the Nation due to overbearing, far reaching, liberty crushing regulations and laws coming out of Washington, D.C. and our agreements with the United Nations.

Lastly, there is fear that GOD has abandoned the United States of America. The nation as a whole has become self-centered when it comes to helping each other through hard times. The prevailing thought of too many is “let the government handle it.” No longer do we, as individuals, do something out of the goodness of our hearts with no expectation of payback in one form or another. Giving and helping just because it is the right and Godly way needs to return to the forefront of our minds. Remember, it isn’t ALL about you!

For each of these fears, worries and wrongs there is one answer: Prayer. We are a nation in crisis, spiritual crisis. In the “What’s In It For Me” nation, prayers have become selfish. What do I want GOD to do for me comes before being thankful to GOD for what he has already done and provided. We need to focus our prayers on praise and thanks for what we have, big or small. Give your worries to Him and find peace. We need to re-focus our prayer. We need to ask GOD, “What can I do for you?”

During the Arkansas Day of Prayer on November 5th, we will focus on six key areas of healing for the United States: Family, Community, Schools, State, Nation and Faith. We will praise GOD for the wonderful blessing before us. We will ask Him to guide us into action to heal, mend and correct the ills that have befallen America.

It may simply be that by attending you are moved to go back to church. Maybe you will reach out and meet your neighbors and lend a helping hand. Maybe GOD will call on you to get more involved in your child’s school or the education system. He may even put it on your heart to run for public office. We need good, honest, GOD fearing men and women in all levels of public service from the school boards to the city councils to State legislature and in Washington, D.C.

Maybe you already feel compelled to “do something”. That is where I was just one year ago. I knew I had to do something. I just didn’t know what. If this describes how you feel, please begin today, as I did, with prayer. Ask GOD to show you what you need to do. Ask Him how you can serve him. You will be surprised at how quickly he answers you when your prayer isn’t all about you.

Personally, I want to know that I did everything I could to ensure my children and grandchildren know freedom and prosperity the way we have. I looked at my four year old daughter last year and realized I wasn’t doing everything that I should. I realized she only knew about GOD and Jesus because they talk about them at her daycare. So I started sharing with her and praying with her at bedtime. This year on Easter, we went to church together. I had not been to church in over 10 years, not even for Easter or Christmas.

I noticed that the more I prayed with my daughter the stronger the pull to attend church was on my heart. On my way home from work I would literally feel a tug to turn the wheel to the right toward a church while waiting at this one light to turn left. It was a very powerful tug at both my heart and hands! I no longer feel that tug when sitting at that light, because I now attend that church every week.

You may not be where I am in my relationship with God. It may make you feel uncomfortable that I have even shared my thoughts and experiences in this way with you. Please do not let this deter you from attending the Arkansas Day of Prayer. If you are supposed to be there, you will be there.

I ask you to join us on November 5, 2011 as we pray for you, your family, our State and Nation. We will pray for you personally if you wish. We have set aside time for personal, direct, and specific prayer for individuals toward the end of our prayer service.

May God bless you and your family,
Stephanie Ferrara
Founder, Arkansas Day of Prayer

For more information on the Arkansas Day of Prayer, please go to www.arkansasdayofprayer.org.