National Day of Prayer

==History==
The National Day of Prayer shares common roots with the celebration of [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]]; both were national proclamations establishing a day of prayer. In the [[New England Colonies]] under British rule, traditional observances in late fall called for prayer and thanksgiving, while observances in the spring or summer called for prayer and fasting.<ref name=Davis2000>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9es9WWz8Ac8C&pg=PA83 |pages=83–84 |last=Davis |first=Derek H. |title=Religion and the Continental Congress, 1774–1789: Contributions to Original Intent |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2000 |isbn=9780195350883}}</ref> The fall observance was established by President [[Abraham Lincoln]] as the official Thanksgiving holiday in 1863. The spring observance was established by President [[Harry S. Truman]] in 1952 as the National Day of Prayer.
[[File:2015-05-07_Kentwood_Day_of_Prayer_landscape_DSC_0216.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Residents of [[Kentwood, Louisiana]], gather outside the [[Town Hall]] alongside [[Louisiana Highway 38|LA 38]] to observe 2015's National Day of Prayer.]]
Friction in 1768–1776 between the American colonists and England spurred some American cities and colonies to proclaim days of prayer. For instance, [[Boston]] declared a day of fasting and prayer in September 1768, as a protest against a British plan to station troops in the city. The [[Colony of Virginia]]'s [[House of Burgesses]] established a day of fasting and prayer to take place on Wednesday, June 1, 1774, to protest the [[Boston Port Act]], such that the people of Virginia would assemble for prayer led by clergymen.<ref name=Davis2000/> [[Thomas Jefferson]] wrote that "the effect of the day through the whole colony was like a shock of electricity", moving the Virginians to choose delegates to establish self-rule.<ref>{{cite book |title=Jefferson Himself: The Personal Narrative of a Many-Sided American |last=Jefferson |first=Thomas |url=https://archive.org/details/jeffersonhimself0000jeff |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/jeffersonhimself0000jeff/page/50 50] |publisher=University of Virginia Press |year=1970 |isbn=9780813903101}} Jefferson is quoted by Derek H. Davis in ''Religion and the Continental Congress, 1774–1789'', page 84.</ref> The Provinces of [[Province of South Carolina|South Carolina]], [[Province of Maryland|Maryland]] and [[Province of Georgia|Georgia]] all observed official days of fasting and prayer during 1774–1775.<ref name=Davis2000/>

The observance of a day of fasting and prayer was brought to all of the colonists by the [[Second Continental Congress|Continental Congress]] in 1775.<ref name=Davis2000/> Congress issued a proclamation recommending "a day of publick humiliation, fasting, and prayer" be observed by the "English Colonies" on Thursday, July 20, 1775, "and to bless our rightful sovereign, King George the Third..."<ref name=Proclamation1775>{{cite book |title=Provincial and State Papers |url=https://archive.org/details/provincialandst08boutgoog |page=[https://archive.org/details/provincialandst08boutgoog/page/n570 545] |first=Nathaniel |last=Bouton |author-link=Nathaniel Bouton|date=June 12, 1775|publisher=G. E. Jenks, state printer [etc.] }} "Proclamation for a day of Fasting and Prayer"</ref> The text, written by [[John Witherspoon]] and [[John Hancock]], instructed the colonists to pray for a resumption of "the just rights and privileges of the Colonies" in "civil and religious" matters.<ref>Davis 2000, p. 85.</ref> A proclamation to this end was sent to every town in the colonies. [[John Adams]] wrote that the popular response was gratifying, that the special day was more widely observed than the practice of going to church on Sunday.<ref>Davis 2000, p. 86.</ref> After this success, Congress determined to call for a day of fasting and prayer each spring, and a day of thanksgiving and praise each fall.<ref name=Davis2000/>

In his role as [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[Continental Army]], General [[George Washington]] acknowledged a day of "fasting, humiliation and prayer" proclaimed by the Continental Congress to be held on Thursday, May 6, 1779. To enable his soldiers to observe the day, Washington ordered a one-day cessation of recreation and "unnecessary labor".<ref name="writings of George Washington">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ec7AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA369 |page=369 |title=The Writings of George Washington, from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745–1799 |volume=14 |date=1779 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref> In March 1780, Congress announced a day of "fasting, humiliation and prayer" to be held on Wednesday, April 26, 1780.<ref name="Pennsylvania archives">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniaarh00assegoog |page=[https://archive.org/details/pennsylvaniaarh00assegoog/page/n135 131] |title=Pennsylvania Archives |via=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=J. Severns & Company |access-date=May 3, 2012|year=1853 }}</ref>

The practice of calling for national days of fasting and prayer was abandoned from 1784 until 1789, even though thanksgiving days were observed each fall.<ref>Davis 2000, pp. 88–89.</ref> On October 3, 1789, President Washington called for a national day of prayer and thanksgiving to be observed on Thursday, November 26, 1789; this was an extension of the tradition of thanksgiving which was already customary in New England.<ref name=Davis90>Davis 2000, p. 90.</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RioTGCygpT8C&pg=PA385 |page=385 |title=George Washington: A Biographical Companion |last=Grizzard |first=Frank E. |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2002 |isbn=9781576070826}} "Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation".</ref> President Adams continued the practice of proclaiming national days of prayer in the spring and fall,<ref name="US_Religion">{{cite book |last1=Butler |first1=Jon |last2=Wacker |first2=Grant |last3=Balmer |first3=Randall |title=Religion in American Life: A Short History |date=September 8, 2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199913299 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=74TDK2V3YCQC&pg=PA161 |page=161 |quote=President George Washington, for example, set aside November 26, 1789, as a national day of prayer, repentance, and thanksgiving to God. John Adams, the second president, continued Washington's prayer day tradition.}}</ref> but President Jefferson did not, as he considered prayer to be a matter for personal rather than state involvement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.chron.com/bakerblog/2010/05/jefferson-madison-and-jesus-on-the-national-day-of-prayer/ |title=Jefferson, Madison and Jesus on the National Day of Prayer|date=May 6, 2010 |work=San Francisco Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/national-prayer-peace |title=National Prayer for Peace |date=2011 |publisher=The Jefferson Monticello |access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

After James Madison, none of the next eleven presidents issued prayer proclamations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/proclamations.php|title=Presidential Proclamations|website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> Thus, there was a period of 47 years, from 1815 to 1862, with no presidential prayer proclamations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsoproudlywehail.org/curriculum/the-american-calendar/thanksgiving-day-proclamations-1789-present|title=Thanksgiving Day Proclamations 1789–present|website=www.whatsoproudlywehail.org|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> President [[Abraham Lincoln]] resumed the practice in 1863, declaring April 30 a national day of humiliation, fasting and prayer in Proclamation 97.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-97-appointing-day-national-humiliation-fasting-and-prayer|title=Proclamation 97|website=presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=September 30, 2021}}</ref>

In January–February 1952 during the [[Korean War]], the desirability of a united national prayer was stated by Reverend [[Billy Graham]], who said, "What a thrilling, glorious thing it would be to see the leaders of our country today kneeling before Almighty God in prayer. What a thrill would sweep this country. What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril." Representative [[Percy Priest]] from [[Tennessee]] observed that Graham had issued a challenge for a national day of prayer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://billygraham.org/story/a-legacy-of-revival-in-the-nations-capital/ |title=A Legacy of Revival in the Nation's Capital |last=Allmond |first=Joy |date=May 3, 2010 |publisher=Billy Graham Evangelistic Association |access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> Members of the House and Senate introduced a joint resolution for an annual National Day of Prayer, "on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pluralism.org/research/profiles/display.php?profile=74229 |title=The Pluralism Project at Harvard University :America's National Day of Prayer (2006) |publisher=Pluralism.org |access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> On April 17, 1952, President [[Harry S. Truman]] signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each subsequent president at an appropriate date of his choice.<ref name=Davis90/>

In 1982 a conservative evangelical Christian organization called the "National Prayer Committee" was formed to coordinate and implement a fixed annual day of prayer for the purpose of organizing evangelical Christian prayer events with local, state, and federal government entities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nationalprayer.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=44 |title=National Prayer Committee website – Mission, Values, Call and Covenant |publisher=Nationalprayer.org |access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> [[The Thanks-Giving Foundation]] also collaborated in this effort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thanksgiving.org/thanks-giving-foundation/info/|title=About the Foundation|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> In his 1983 declaration, Ronald Reagan said, "From General Washington's struggle at Valley Forge to the present, this Nation has fervently sought and received divine guidance as it pursued the course of history. This occasion provides our Nation with an opportunity to further recognize the source of our blessings, and to seek His help for the challenges we face today and in the future."<ref name=proc5017>{{cite web |url=http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1983/12783h.htm |title=Proclamation 5017 – National Day of Prayer, 1983 |publisher=Reagan.utexas.edu |access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:US Navy 070503-N-8268B-001 Electronics Technician 1st Class Scott Burlingame and Lt. Steve Stougard Naval Submarine Support Center chaplain bow their heads in prayer during the National Day of Prayer.jpg|thumb|175px|Sailors bow their heads in prayer during the National Day of Prayer. May 3, 2007.]]
In 1988, the law was amended so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May. Two stated intentions of the National Day of Prayer were that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer and that it may one day bring renewed respect for God to all the peoples of the world.<ref name=proc5017/>

Republican [[Ronald Reagan administration]] and [[George H. W. Bush administration]] (1981–1993) each hosted special National Day of Prayer events held at the [[White House]] only once during their administrations.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Democrat [[Bill Clinton administration]] (1993–2001) did not hold any such events during his time in office, though he issued proclamations annually.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

Republican [[George W. Bush administration]] (2001–2009) made his first presidential act be the announcement of a National Day of Prayer,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K7qsPruZaKIC&pg=PA108 |page=108 |title=Republicanism, Religion, and the Soul of America |last=Sandoz |first=Ellis |author-link=Ellis Sandoz |publisher=University of Missouri Press |year=2013 |isbn=9780826265623}}</ref> and he held events at the White House in each year of his presidency.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}

Democrat [[Barack Obama]] (2009–2017) did not hold any public events at the White House,<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/05/04/national-day-of-prayer-task-force-knocks-obama-white-house.html National Day of Prayer Task Force Knocks Obama White House], [[U.S. News & World Report]], April 15, 2010, Dan Gilgof</ref> though he issued presidential proclamations regularly each year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/prayerday.asp |title=National Day of Prayer |publisher=Snopes |date=March 18, 2012 |access-date=July 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-day-prayer |title=Presidential Proclamation National Day of Prayer |date=May 7, 2009 |last=Obama |first=Barack |publisher=The White House |access-date=July 11, 2014}}</ref>

Republican President [[Donald Trump]] and First Lady [[Melania Trump]] attended church services in observation of a special National Day of Prayer, which Trump previously declared, in support of the victims of [[Hurricane Harvey]] dwelling in the state of Texas, to "uplift one another and assist those suffering from the consequences of this terrible storm."<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[PBS Newshour]] |title=Trump attends church service on National Day of Prayer |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/trump-attends-church-service-national-day-prayer/ |date=September 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Mary K. |last=Linge |publisher=[[New York Post]] |title=Trump declares national day of player |date=September 2, 2017 |url=https://nypost.com/2017/09/02/trump-declares-national-day-of-prayer-for-harvey-victims/ |access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref>

On May 7, 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], many virtual prayer events were planned.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trump to commemorate National Day of Prayer amid pandemic|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/07/politics/trump-national-day-of-prayer-coronavirus/index.html|first=Betsy |last=Klein|website=CNN|date=May 7, 2020 |access-date=May 7, 2020}}</ref> President Trump issued an official proclamation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Proclamation on National Day of Prayer, 2020|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-national-day-prayer-2020/|language=en-US|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=May 7, 2020}}</ref> A national event was planned for the evening, to be co-hosted by the grandson of evangelist [[Billy Graham]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Day of Prayer, reshaped by pandemic, includes interfaith and online events|url=https://religionnews.com/2020/05/06/national-day-of-prayer-reshaped-by-pandemic-with-interfaith-and-online-events/|date=May 6, 2020|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US|access-date=May 7, 2020}}</ref>