Shirley Dobson Passes Intercessory Prayer Mantle to Anne Graham Lotz

After 25 years of chairing the National Day of Prayer task force, Shirley Dobson is passing her intercessory prayer mantle for the organization to Anne Graham Lotz.

“Let me share with you just a little about this incredible woman of faith. Anne Graham Lotz is called ‘the best preacher in the family’ by her father, Billy Graham. In fact, the New York Times named Anne as one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. She is a prayer warrior, a powerful speaker, a best-selling author of many much-loved books, and the founder and president of her own organization, AnGeL Ministries,” Dobson said in a statement.  

The National Day of Prayer was first proposed in 1952, according to their website, with the subcommittee to plan the event established in 1970s. Vonette Bright, who died late last year, was the first chairperson of the National Prayer Committee. 

Dobson accepted the chair to the task force in 1991. “I was to call the nation to prayer with only $6,000 in the bank and the help of one volunteer. I sought the Lord and was reminded that little is much if God is in it … and He was!” Dobson says. 

“This year marks my 25th year as the chairman of the National Day of Prayer and as I look back over the years, it is amazing to see how the Lord has blessed and grown this ministry to our nation. We now have eight incredible National Area Leaders who lead tens of thousands of volunteers. We have had as many has 43,000 prayer gatherings on the First Thursday of May with millions united in repentance before God. The National Observance is now broadcast into 90 countries around the world and lives are being changed and hearts transformed by this growing movement of prayer.”

This year’s theme begs the country to “Wake up, America!”

The event featured speakers such as Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, Senate Chaplain Barry Black, House Chaplain Patrick Conroy, Dr. Tony Evans, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, Shirley Dobson, Dr. James Dobson, Anne Graham Lotz, Veritas, Dr. Dick Eastman, Dr. David Butts and the Rev. John Bornschein.