The National Day of Prayer: Cancelled?

The National Day of Prayer:  Cancelled? 
by Rebecca Burgoyne, CFC Research Analyst

Prayer has been a pillar of America since long before the founding of our government.  We have sought God’s guidance in tough times and thanked Him for our freedoms and bounties in good times.  Between 1789 and 2009, there have been 135 national calls to prayer by our presidents, beginning with George Washington, who issued the first official presidential proclamation in 1789.  A joint resolution of Congress in 1952 established the annual event known as the National Day of Prayer, and in 1988 President Ronald Reagan amended the law to place the annual event on the first Thursday in May.  This national heritage of prayer could end, however, if a ruling by federal Judge Barbara Crabb – striking down the government recognition of prayer and the National Day of Prayer – stands. 

Despite our deep history as a nation of prayer and a 1983 Supreme Court decision affirming prayer to open state legislative sessions, Judge Crabb has found the holiday violates the “establishment clause” of the First Amendment to the Constitution.  The case was filed by a Wisconsin-based organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a self-described group of atheists and agnostics, whose mission is to keep separate church and state, and educate others about “nontheism.”  (The nonprofit boasts 14,600 members, 2,300 of them in California.)

The decision does not impact next week’s May 6 festivities, but future years could be in jeopardy if Judge Crabb’s ruling stands.  (Judge Crabb stayed her ruling until appeals are exhausted.)  While attorneys in the Obama administration are reportedly reviewing the decision, the National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDPTF), a nonprofit organization that fosters prayer for our nation and its leaders, and attorneys from the Alliance Defense Fund are urging the president to appeal the decision.  (You can sign their petition online.)

Fittingly, the theme for this year’s May 6 celebration is “Prayer, For Such a Time as This,” based on Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust him.”  Last year, over 2 million people attended 40,000 events held nationwide.  This year even more Americans will gather in businesses, at government offices, in churches, in homes, at school flagpoles, in sports stadiums, and at capitols for prayer breakfasts, concerts of prayer, Bible readings, and inspiring messages. 

The National Day of Prayer belongs to all of us. According to Shirley Dobson, NDP chairman, “We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep.  I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too.”  Even if the National Day of Prayer is removed from federal law, its celebration will continue, as citizens continue – perhaps with increased fervor – to gather in prayer for their country and its rulers. 

For more information:

·       Watch CitizenLink’s recent Stoplight “Pray for America.”

·       Find out more about the National Day of Prayer.

·       Find a gathering near you.