National Day of Prayer
| National Day of Prayer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Observed by | Christians |
| Type | Christian |
| Date | First Thursday in May |
| 2024 date | |
The National Day of Prayer is a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when all Christians are asked to come together and pray, especially for their country. It is held on the first Thursday in May. The "National Day of Prayer Task Force" coordinates many local observances of the National Day of Prayer. it is an independent non-profit organization and does not act on behalf of the federal government.
History
There have been several national days of prayer in the U.S. before the day was made official in 1952. The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate "a time for prayer in forming a new nation".
On April 17 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law. It was in 1972 that the National Prayer Committee was formed. It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill into law decreeing that the National Day of Prayer should be held on the first Thursday of May.
The intention of the National Day of Prayer was always that it would be a day when members of all faiths could pray together in their own way. It would involve Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Aboriginals, Zoroastrians, Bahá'ís, Satanists, Pagans and all others, of any faith or of no organized religion, who had a religious faith and wished to participate.[citation needed]
National Day of Prayer Task Force
The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a non-governmental organization created by the National Prayer Committee to help coordinate events for evangelical Christians on the National Day of Prayer. Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, they work out of facilities from Focus on the Family, a Christian organization. Shirley Dobson (wife of Focus on the Family founder, James Dobson) is currently at the head of the Task Force.
The Task force's website says in their FAQ section: "Americans of all faiths are encouraged to participate in the [National Day of Prayer] according to their own traditions. However, the [National Day of Prayer] Task Force provides promotional materials and sponsors several events in keeping with the Judeo-Christian tradition". The application for volunteer coordinators with the Task Force lists the following as a primary qualification, "Commitment to Christ. A volunteer must be an evangelical Christian who has a personal relationship with Christ. I acknowledge that I am working for the Lord Jesus Christ and the furthering of His Work on earth and agree to perform my work with the highest standard of Christian faith."[1]
Constitutionality
In the National Day of Prayer School Events Guide available on the National Day of Prayer Task Force's website, they argue for the constitutionality and need for a National Day of Prayer, claiming that the "Founding Fathers did not mean for our government to be separated from our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob".
Issues of Government involvement with religion are often disputed because of the Establishment clause in the First Amendment, though the free-exercise clause allows for this type of event.
Those opposed to a national day of prayer have established another observance that coincides with the National Day of Prayer called the National Day of Reason. Groups such as NYC Atheists have organized blood donations on the same day.[1]
See also
References
- ^ http://media1.ssiwt.com/ndptf/downloads/CN%20APP%204-3-2006.pdf NDPTF coordinator application