At a recent signing ceremony in the rotunda of Tennessee’s Capitol building, Governor Phil Bredesen formally put his support behind organizers of the Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer (NBCOP) to bring the high profile National Day of Prayer event to Nashville. Typically the event is held in a different American city each year. However, NBCOP executive producer Bob Bakke and the National Prayer Committee have chosen Nashville to host the event for the next five years as part of a strategy to ignite a national call to prayer for the nation, its leaders, the media and school systems due in part to the city’s reputation as America’s unofficial Christian capital.
The Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer is a first of its kind “live” prayer meeting that culminates The National Day of Prayer, this year slated for May 5th. It is brought to the world via Television, Radio and Internet simulcast and is designed to seek God’s blessing on His Church and our land. It features times of dynamic prayer, inspirational music from the country’s top musical artists and encouraging words from local, national and international Church leadership.
“The Lord is forging friendships and partnerships across racial and denominational lines that will fundamentally effect the city for years to come,” says Executive Producer Dr. Bob Bakke. “I plan to keep the National Day of Prayer broadcast there (Nashville) for the next five years in order to serve this vision of transformation.”
A peripheral benefit to the local community is the strengthening of the local church through new partnerships established to not only help fund the event but to enhance its depth and scope. “Events are extremely important and this one is ordained of God to occur here in our city,” stated Henry Coles, Jr., Senior Pastor of Nashville’s Word of Faith Christian Center. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of something bigger than us all.”
While this inaugural event will not be televised, it will have the same format as previous televised events and serve as the campaign launch to galvanize the community behind raising the sizeable production funds needed to reach a worldwide audience via broadcast television and radio next year. The Nationally Broadcast Concert of Prayer will take place from 7 – 9 PM at the Ryman Auditorium, 116 Fifth Avenue North in Nashville. The evening’s program includes worship led by celebrated Christian artist Steve Green along with the Nashville Choir, Renaissance Children’s Choir and Selah Tabernacle Band. Presentations and prayers will be given by Nashville Christian leaders and by Nationally Broadcast Day of Prayer Director Dr. Bob Bakke. The event is free to the public but tickets are required.
President’s National Day Of Prayer Proclamation
