Faith Radio On Demand

National Day of Prayer can feel like a modern flashpoint, but the deeper story is older and far more bipartisan than most people realize. We walk through the historical evidence that public prayer has been woven into American life from the start, including moments like Columbus’ prayers of thanksgiving, prayer observances tied to Jamestown and Plymouth, and a remarkable scene from September 6, 1774, when the First Continental Congress opens with prayer and Scripture for nearly two hours. If you’ve ever wondered whether faith belongs in America’s public square, that timeline changes the whole frame.

We also trace how the National Day of Prayer became a formal part of American civic practice. We talk through the 1952 law during President Truman’s era, the organizing push that formed the National Prayer Committee in 1979, the first major coordinated event under President Reagan in 1983, and the 1988 legislation that set the first Thursday in May. Along the way, we discuss why leaders saw prayer as a key distinction between rights that come from government and rights grounded in God, plus the role of the National Prayer Breakfast and how it has even helped foster peace talks abroad.

Then we pivot to listener questions with real legal consequences. Why do political ads get away with blatant lies if libel and slander are real offenses? We break down the “public figure” defamation standard that makes accountability so difficult today and why some justices have called for rethinking it. We close with a surprising American history detail: Ohio’s 1803 statehood was real, but Congress still had to clean up a technical oversight in 1953 by retroactively affirming what everyone already recognized.

Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who cares about faith and liberty, and leave a review. What part of America’s prayer history surprised you most?

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Life without God eventually proves empty and meaningless, no matter our accomplishments or possessions. Dr. Tony Evans explains how a divine perspective leads to a fulfilling present and an eternal future.

John Perkins shares with us his true story.
Visit our podcast website to learn more about this ministry, unshackledpodcast.org.

Today we are asking the difficult question of who calls for more political violence - the left or the right? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more.

Topic: Deep Questions

The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti, Wayne Shepherd, and Alan C. Duncan

thepublicsquare.com

Air Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026

The Christian life isn’t a peaceful stroll but a spiritual battle, and God calls us to stay alert and equipped against an enemy who is always looking for an opportunity to attack.

It takes two people to make a cycle. It takes one person to break it. Find out how.

Do your conversations with your teen turn into debates, shutdowns or eye rolls? In this episode, Mark, Wayne and Heartlight Counselor Courtney LaFleur explore why teens often resist opinions, but still deeply need your wisdom. Learn how to replace lectures with perspective, listen in ways that draw your teen out, and use your life experiences to guide rather than control. You’ll also hear a powerful student story of healing, growth and the kind of communication that rebuilds trust. Because when teens feel understood, they’re far more willing to hear you.

Get tips to becoming the listener your teen needs at bit.ly/listen-to-your-teen

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org.

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Speaking God’s Language – Throughout the Bible, God encourages us to bring before him our worship and praise, confession, thanksgivings, intercessions, and petitions. As Christians grow in the discipline of praying, it becomes clear that there is always more to learn. Joni Eareckson Tada shares insights and personal stories that will hone your skill of including scripture in your prayers.

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