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When the National Day of Prayer is observed on Thursday, two disabled women will be front and center. Perhaps God didn't answer their prayers for healing, but they were answered in other ways instead.

One is Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic since the age of 17 and an advocate for people with disabilities worldwide. As the NDP's Honorary Chairman this year, she will give the keynote address at the national observance in Washington, D.C., as well as read the 2011 National Prayer.

Ginny Owens

The other is Ginny Owens, blind since early childhood but today an acclaimed singer/songwriter in both Christian music and outside the box too. Owens was invited to sing at the event in Washington on Thursday, and tells CT she's "very excited" about it.

We asked Owens a few questions via e-mail about this opportunity.

Why do you want to do this?

I know that I need to pray nearly as often as I need to breathe. I'm honored to get to pray for our nation with others who likely feel the same way. I consider it a tremendous blessing and privilege that in this country, we still have the freedom to pray publicly, and that's a freedom we may not always have.

Do you consider yourself a "political" person?

I do not consider the National Day of Prayer a political event at all. Instead I think of it as a day to fall upon our faces before God and ask for mercy for our nation and revival for the hearts of its people. I am in no way a political activist. Although I have many personal convictions, I prefer to use music as a means of communicating God's love and truth to others. I'll leave politics to the politicians.

Some people complain about NDP, saying it's unconstitutional (though an appeals court recently ruled that it is constitutional). Your thoughts?

I can't imagine that our nation would have flourished without the prayers of generations—from the Pilgrims to the Founding Fathers to today's citizens. But convincing those who don't acknowledge God that prayer is both Constitutional and necessary is impossible without intervention from God himself.

This year's theme is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The press release says it's based on Psalm 91:2, but I bet most people associate those words with the great Lutheran hymn. What are your thoughts on those words and this year's theme, and why it's important at this time in our nation's history?

Currently, the things that seem most powerful in our world are dark, dangerous, and daunting—the threat of terrorism, uprisings, and wars in so many places, natural disasters, economic unrest, and the list goes on. This year's theme calls us to focus on the hugeness of God. His might, power, and strength are greater than all the looming disasters of the world combined. For those who know him, he is a fortress—a strong tower and refuge. He is our only true protection, our only hope. To consider his greatness as we lay the concerns of our country before him gives us a sense of awe, as well as confidence, that things can change.

Have you decided which songs you'll sing? And will you have an opportunity to speak as well?

There are several events this week at which I'll be singing 2-4 songs each. On Thursday, the National Day of Prayer, I will perform three songs at a public service at the Cannon House across from the Capitol. The NDP Task Force and I have worked together to carefully choose the correct songs for all events. In addition to a song I wrote specifically for the day, I will sing "If You Want Me To" and "Say Amen." My speaking will be minimal, although I will likely share how prayer has made a difference in my life.

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