National Day of Prayer

==Observance==
The National Day of Prayer is celebrated by Americans of many religions, including [[Christians]] of many denominations, including [[Protestants]] and [[Catholics]], as well as [[Sikhs]], [[Muslims]], [[Hindus]], and [[Jews]],<ref name="CBS">{{cite web |url=http://kyxy.cbslocal.com/2014/04/30/national-day-of-prayer-where-will-you-be/ |title=National Day of Prayer |last=Blackwell |first=Mark |date=April 30, 2014 |publisher=CBS |access-date=July 11, 2014 |quote=Today is the National Day of Prayer. It has been around longer than we've been a country. It's celebrated on the first Thursday of May every year by Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Sikhs. }}</ref><ref name="Catholic News Agency">{{cite web |title=National Day of Prayer opportunity for Americans to seek God |url=http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/national-day-of-prayer-opportunity-for-americans-to-seek-god/ |publisher=Catholic News Agency |access-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> reflecting the [[demographics of the United States]].<ref>{{cite news |title=National Day of Prayer Grows in Popularity |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/03/national-day-of-prayer_n_1473966.html |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=May 29, 2012 |date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> On the National Day of Prayer, many Americans assemble in prayer in front of courthouses, as well as in houses of worship, such as churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Day of Prayer Observed by Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai |url=http://himalayanacademy.com/blog/taka/2012/05/21/national-day-of-prayer-observed-by-interfaith-roundtable-of-kauai/ |publisher=Himalayan Academy |access-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> Luncheons, picnics, and music performances revolving around praying for the nation are also popular observances.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Day of Prayer events set in Augusta |url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/latest-news/2012-05-02/national-day-prayer-events-set-augusta |publisher=The Augusta Chronicle |access-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> Traditionally, the [[President of the United States]] issues an official National Day of Prayer proclamation each year as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Presidential Proclamation—National Day of Prayer |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-day-prayer-0 |via=[[NARA|National Archives]] |work=[[whitehouse.gov]] |date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref>