The Apollo Space Program Prayer 1967 NASA Houston represents one of the most unique expressions of faith in American history — prayers offered not only on Earth, but in space. Between 1967 and 1972, during the Apollo missions, astronauts carried Bibles, read Scripture, and prayed while orbiting the Earth and walking on the moon.
These moments revealed that even as humanity reached into the heavens, our dependence on God remained central.
The Prayer / Scripture Reading
On December 24, 1968, the crew of Apollo 8 — Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders — read from the book of Genesis while broadcasting live from lunar orbit:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1–3)
The broadcast reached millions of people on Earth, reminding them that even in the space age, the Word of God was the foundation of all creation.
Historic Backstory
The Apollo program was born out of tragedy. In 1967, three astronauts — Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee — were killed in the Apollo 1 launchpad fire. Their sacrifice underscored the danger of space exploration and led many in NASA to turn to prayer for protection and strength.
When Apollo 11 landed on the moon in 1969, Buzz Aldrin quietly took communion and gave thanks to God before stepping onto the lunar surface. Later missions continued this pattern, with astronauts praying, carrying Bibles, and giving glory to God for the opportunity to explore His creation.
The Apollo Space Program Prayer 1967 NASA Houston captures these extraordinary moments when prayer literally left Earth.
Biblical Parallel — The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
Psalm 19:1 declares: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
The astronauts’ prayers and Scripture readings echoed this truth in a way no one had ever heard before. From lunar orbit, they testified that God’s glory extends to the farthest reaches of the universe.
Modern Application — Prayer Without Boundaries
The Apollo missions remind us that prayer knows no boundaries — not of culture, nation, or even planet. Whether on Earth or beyond, prayer connects us to the Creator.
The National Prayer Wall invites us to carry that same spirit, connecting prayers across ZIP Codes and communities as a testimony that God’s glory fills the earth and the heavens.
Visit NASA Houston Today
At Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas (ZIP Code 77058), visitors can explore Apollo mission artifacts, recordings, and memorials. Among them are references to the prayers and Scripture readings that accompanied humanity’s first steps on the moon.
📍 These prayers were tied to NASA Houston, TX 77058, and broadcast from space itself.
And just one year later, in 1969, evangelist Billy Graham would lead the nation in prayer at President Nixon’s inauguration in Washington, DC (ZIP 20004). Read about Billy Graham’s Inaugural Prayer →
Reference Prayers and Proclamations: Historic Prayers in American Life (White House PDF)