Why a National Day of Prayer?

Posted on by JoAnne Jones

Prayer is always a good idea, but why do we pray together as a nation on a set day?

From the start, our founding fathers relied heavily on prayer in times of need, publicly acknowledging the overruling providence of God.1 The first National Day of Prayer was proclaimed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. For the first time, thousands of Americans of every religious persuasion prayed as one, asking for divine guidance in their quest for liberty and justice.2

Later, President Lincoln, in 1863, upon the recommendation of the Senate, proclaimed a day for national fasting and humble prayer. He said, “We have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined that these blessing were produced by some superior wisdom of our own. We have become too self-sufficient.”3

In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer in churches or homes. The purpose, he said, was that we may “beseech God to grant us wisdom to know the course which we should follow, and strength and patience to pursue that course steadfastly. May we also give thanks to Him for His constant watchfulness over us in every hour of national prosperity and national peril.” 4

President Reagan, in 1982, amended and signed the law in order to observe the day of prayer on the first Thursday of every May. That year his proclamation stated, “I ask Americans to join with me in giving thanks to Almighty God for the blessings He has bestowed on this land and the protection He affords us as a people. Let us as a nation join together before God, aware of the trials that lie ahead and of the need for divine guidance. With unshakable faith in God and the liberty, which is our heritage, we as a free nation will continue to grow and prosper.”5

These are some of the reasons our leaders in government have continued to uphold a set day for national, corporate prayer. As Christians, we continue to trust in God’s timeless promise as stated in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

1 Benjamin Franklin Morris, 1864;   2 National Day of Prayer Task Force –  Volunteer Handbook;  3 The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln;   4 “National Day of Prayer, 1952,” Harry S. Truman Library;  5 Proclamation from President Reagan, #4897, issued in 1982.

    • 4 thoughts on “Why a National Day of Prayer?”

    1. Thank God for our past Leaders who saw the great importance in prayer for the affairs of our Nation. We Pray that the righteous Leaders in our Nation today will see the continued importance in relying on God and praying that this Nation will again be led by God. Thank you for the history of the NDP.

      1. Jeanne, thanks for your inciteful comment. Yes, we continue to pray that our leaders will see the importance of relying on God. Absolutely!

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