National Day of Prayer

{{Short description|Annual day of observance in the United States}}
{{Use American English|date = October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name=National Day of Prayer
|type=national
|longtype=
|official_name=
|nickname=
|observedby=[[United States]]
|week_ordinal=first
|weekday=Thursday
|month=May
|celebrations=
|duration= 1 day
|scheduling = nth weekday of the month
|frequency=annual
|observances=
|relatedto=[[Day of Prayer]]
}}
The '''National Day of Prayer''' is an annual day of observance designated by the [[United States Congress]] and held on the first Thursday of May, when people are asked "to turn to God in [[prayer]] and meditation". The [[President of the United States|president]] is required by law ({{usc|36|119}}) to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.<ref name="36 U.S.C. § 119">{{cite news |url=http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/36/I/A/1/119 |title=36 U.S.C. § 119 : US Code – Section 119: National Day of Prayer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nationaldayofprayer.org/about/history/ |title=History of the National Day of Prayer |publisher=Nationaldayofprayer.org |access-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413165629/http://nationaldayofprayer.org/about/history/ |archive-date=April 13, 2012 }}</ref>

The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952 as part of the public reaction to the threats perceived in the [[Korean War]], although earlier days of [[fasting]] and prayer had been established by the [[Second Continental Congress]] from 1775 until 1783, and by President [[John Adams]] in 1798 and 1799.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=65675 |title=Proclamation – Recommending a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer |last=Adams |first=John |publisher=University of California, Santa Barbara |work=The American Presidency Project |date=March 6, 1799 |access-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-date=December 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215091215/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=65675 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mJ0wAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA287 |page=287 |title=By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation |date=March 31, 1798 |last=Adams |first=John |journal=The Weekly Magazine |volume=1 |number=9}} John Adams' signed the proclamation on March 3, 1798, with the day of prayer to take place on May 9, 1798.</ref> [[Thomas Jefferson]] established a day of prayer and thanksgiving, but this occurred while he served as governor of Virginia.<ref>[https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-03-02-0187 "Proclamation Appointing a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer, 11 November 1779"], ''[[Virginia Gazette]]'', website=Founders Online, November 20, 1779. Retrieved on May 9, 2016.</ref>

The [[constitutionality]] of the National Day of Prayer was unsuccessfully [[Judicial review|challenged in court]] by the [[Freedom From Religion Foundation]] after an appellate court dismissed the case based on [[standing (law)|standing]] without ruling on the day's legality. The [[Alliance Defense Fund]] (now known as the Alliance Defending Freedom) provided the defense for observance of the National Day of Prayer.<ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2011/0414/Legal-challenge-to-National-Day-of-Prayer-thrown-out Legal challenge to National Day of Prayer thrown out], ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''</ref><ref name="usatoday1">[https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-04-15-prayer_court_14_ST_N.htm Court Dismisses Challenge to National Day of Prayer], ''[[USA Today]]''</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=No muzzling of National Day of Prayer in wake of failed legal attacks |url=http://sonorannews.com/archives/2011/110504/frontpage-prayer.html |publisher=[[Sonoran News]] |access-date=5 May 2022 |date=9 May 2011}}</ref>

==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>

==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>

==Legal challenge==

The [[Freedom From Religion Foundation]] (FFRF) sued to challenge the designation of a National Day of Prayer. On October 3, 2008, the [[Wisconsin]]-based organization filed suit in the [[U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin|federal district court for western Wisconsin]] in [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison]], naming as defendants President [[George W. Bush]]; White House press secretary [[Dana Perino]]; Wisconsin governor [[Jim Doyle]]; and evangelist [[James Dobson]]'s wife, Shirley Dobson, in her capacity as chair of the [[National Day of Prayer Task Force]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-10-06-prayer-day_N.htm |title=Atheist group sues Bush over national prayer day |work=USA Today |date=October 6, 2008 |access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> The [[Alliance Defense Fund]] (ADF) provided defense for Shirley Dobson while government lawyers asked U.S. District Judge [[Barbara Crabb]] to dismiss the case, arguing principally that the group has no [[Standing (law)|legal standing]] to sue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ffrf.org/news/2009/NDPcaseproceeds.php|title=FFRF National Day of Prayer Case Proceeds – Freedom From Religion Foundation|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref>

On March 1, 2010, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb stated that FFRF's lawsuit could proceed because the plaintiffs had shown that they suffered "concrete injury" that can potentially be remedied by judicial action. Judge Crabb stated about those supporting the federal law designating the National Day of Prayer, "adopting [the] defendants' view of standing would allow the government to have unrestrained authority to demean members of any religious group without legal consequence. The federal government could declare the 'National Day of Anti-Semitism' or even declare Christianity the official religion of the United States, but no one would have standing to sue because no one would have to 'pass by' those declarations."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ffrf.org/uploads/legal/dayofprayer_standing.PDF |title=Decision of FFRF v. President Obama and Shirley Dobson |access-date=May 3, 2012}}</ref> On April 15, 2010, Judge Crabb ruled that the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer was [[Constitutionality|unconstitutional]] as it is "an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function."<ref name="Opinion_and_Order">{{cite news |url=http://www.wiwd.uscourts.gov/assets/pdf/FFRF_v_Obama_Order.pdf |title=Opinion and Order |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602073444/http://www.wiwd.uscourts.gov/assets/pdf/FFRF_v_Obama_Order.pdf |archive-date=June 2, 2010  }}</ref><ref name="CNNunconstitutional">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/15/wisconsin.court.prayer/ |title=Federal judge strikes down National Day of Prayer statute |last=Gilgoff |first=Dan |date=April 16, 2010 |publisher=CNN |access-date=April 16, 2010}}</ref> However, Crabb [[Stay of proceedings|stayed]] her ruling pending the completion of appeals.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0415/Federal-judge-National-Day-of-Prayer-is-unconstitutional/ |title=Federal judge: National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional |last=Richey |first=Warren |date=April 15, 2010 |publisher=Christian Science Monitor |access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref>

The [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] filed a notice to appeal the ruling on April 22, 2010,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/04/22/u-s-appeals-ruling-striking-down-national-day-of-prayer/?fbid=9vJShASeaFv |title=CNN.com: U.S. appeals ruling striking down National Day of Prayer |publisher=Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com |access-date=May 3, 2012 |date=April 22, 2010}}</ref> and on April 14, 2011, a three judge panel of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit|Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals]] unanimously overturned Crabb's decision. The panel ruled that FFRF did not have standing to sue because the National Day of Prayer had not caused them harm and stated that "a feeling of alienation cannot suffice as injury." The court further stated that "the President is free to make appeals to the public based on many kinds of grounds, including political and religious, and that such requests do not obligate citizens to comply and do not encroach on citizens' rights."  The federal appeals court also cited Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address, which referenced God seven times and prayer three times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/14/ap/national/main20054020.shtml|title=Court dismisses suit over National Day of Prayer – CBS News|website=[[CBS News]]|date=April 16, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416071913/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/04/14/ap/national/main20054020.shtml|archive-date=April 16, 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Holidays|United States}}
* [[Day of Prayer]]
* [[National Day of Reason]]
* [[National Prayer Breakfast]]
* [[National Religious Freedom Day]]
* [[See You at the Pole]]
* [[Great Prayer Day]], a [[Public holidays in Denmark|public holiday in Denmark]] introduced in 1686 in the wake of the [[Reformation in Denmark–Norway and Holstein|Reformation of the national church]]
* [[Buß- und Bettag|Penance and Pray Day]], a national [[Public holidays in Germany|German]] day of prayer and repentance, historically state-ordered (but binding only on Protestants)

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-day-prayer-0 Presidential Proclamation – National Day of Prayer]
*[http://www.religioustolerance.org/day_pray.htm Religious Tolerance.org's section of the National Day of Prayer]
*[http://media.aclj.org/pdf/ndp-7c-opinion-041411.pdf Text of the United States Court of Appeals For the Seventh Circuit, April 14, 2011]
*[http://www.wiwd.uscourts.gov/assets/pdf/FFRF_v_Obama_Order.pdf Text of Judge Crabb's Opinion and Order, April 15, 2010]

{{US Observances}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1952 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:May observances]]
[[Category:Holidays and observances by scheduling (nth weekday of the month)]]
[[Category:Observances in the United States by presidential proclamation]]
[[Category:Prayer]]
[[Category:Religious holidays]]
[[Category:Religion and society in the United States]]