National Day of Prayer - 2008

1 May 2008 will be the National Day of Prayer for 2008. It was begun in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress that was signed into law by President Harry S Truman. In 1988 the law was amended & signed by President Ronald Reagan. Now it is permantly held each year on the 1st Thursday in May.

Throughout the history of the United States Presidents &/or Congress have declared Days of Prayer for specific reasons. The 1st day of prayer was called for by the Continental Congress in 1775. They asked for prayer for the wisdom in forming a new nation.

The purpose of this day is to set aside a day of special intercessory prayer over & above the normal prayer each of us should be doing for our country & our leaders. Those prayed for include our Federal Leaders in all 3 branchs of government (Executive, Legislative & Judicial), State leaders (same 3 branchs), & local, county, city, school boards etc. The NDP Task Force has a suggested list here.

On 21 April President Bush issued a proclaimation officially designating 1 May as this year's Day of Prayer:

National Day of Prayer, 2008

A Proclamation by the President of the United States ofAmerica

America trusts in the abiding power of prayer and asks for the wisdom to discern God's will in times of joy and of trial. As we observe this National Day of Prayer, we recognize our dependence on the Almighty, we thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us, and we put our country's future in His hands.

From our Nation's humble beginnings, prayer has guided our leaders and played a vital role in the life and history of the United States. Americans of many different faiths share the profound conviction that God listens to the voice of His children and pours His grace upon those who seek Him in prayer. By surrendering our lives to our loving Father, we learn to serve His eternal purposes, and we are strengthened, refreshed, and ready for all that may come.

On this National Day of Prayer, we ask God's continued blessings on our country. This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield," is taken from Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped." On this day, we pray for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform, for their families, and for the comfort and recovery of those who have been wounded.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2008, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

In addition every state governor has also issued a proclaimation, all filled with whereases & therefores, declaring 1 May this year's Day of Prayer.