In 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each following president at an appropriate date of his choice. This bill was later amended in 1988 so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May; which would be today.

So, on this wonderful day of days; I thought it would be fitting to let everyone know that I prayed for you today. I didn't do my usual 'family and friends' prayer. Anyone that shares my blood, anyone that shares moments of my life, anyone I call regularly and especially the ones that I don't, anyone that I love and especially the ones that (at times) I may not like, anyone that I've ever spoken to (even the lady sitting in her car in the parking that I have no idea who the heck she is, but I told her 'Good morning'), anyone that has ever read any of my columns or poetry and have no idea who the heck I am, anyone that cheers me on and especially the ones that don't...I prayed for you.

I prayed that you have a wonderful day. I prayed that you have a blessed life. I want you to let go of the things that seem to irritate you; the things that weigh you down (He IS an uplifter). I want you to stop hatin’ when somebody has something you wanted but can't have...by the way, you may think it's subtle...but it's not...we see you (Thou shalt not covet). Even when you 'talk' about somebody and you know who you are (idle hands, people...idle hands). I prayed that you hold your tongue when speaking of fools...everybody plays the fool sometimes (even you). You see...these are some specifics and it really wasn't necessary to go into it...but I wanted to give you some examples of what my prayers for you consisted of. I must apologize...I didn't pray for you to win Mega Millions or Powerball. I just prayed that we all be better and do better; use the Golden Rule..."Treat others as you expect to be treated". I prayed that you live for and within your purpose and allow others to do the same (foolish or not) without negativity and backstabbing (Let he who is without sin...).

But, most importantly, I prayed that you know that I love you. All these things can be fixed or erased if people just knew how much they were loved. It is my love of the human condition with all our faults, flaws, and imperfections that allow me to love you the way I do. You don't have to know me, you don't have to like me, and I'm not asking you to love me back. You see, it's the love that I have that gives me the power to love you in return...the love of my Father.

Have a wonderfully blessed National Day of Prayer...I love you.