In February of 1952, my grandfather, Billy Graham, held an unprecedented evangelistic rally, preaching to 40,000 people on the steps of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. From this pivotal and historic place, he called on the leaders of the country to recognize the significance of prayer.

The result was immediate. Just two days later, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill to establish a National Day of Prayer, and it was signed into law by President Truman a couple of months after that.

For more than 70 years now, we’ve had a dedicated, nationwide focus on prayer. In fact, it could be said that we are a nation of prayer, and I believe God has blessed us because of that.

That is not to say that we—the United States—have had an easy journey over the intervening decades.

Think of all we’ve endured since 1952—the final days of the Korean conflict, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War, 9/11, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to name just a few.

We’ve had civil unrest, violence and political upheaval, to the point where it sometimes feels like this nation is coming apart at the seams.

Through it all, though, God has had—and continues to have—His hand on our nation. I don’t believe that’s an accident.

Much of the world has slipped into what we’d call a “post Christian society,” and in some ways our culture has as well. But there remains a praying remnant that continues appealing to Almighty God on behalf of our nation—including many of you as we approach this 75th observance of the National Day of Prayer—and our faithful Father is not done with us yet.

Prayer is woven into the fabric of our nation, and the believers in this generation must continue to call upon the Name of the Lord. In the midst of turmoil—both inside and outside the United States—Christ alone is our “refuge and fortress … in Whom we trust.” (Psalm 91:2).

Will you join Will Graham in praying for the United States on this National Day of Prayer?