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Here in the United States, the first Thursday in May is recognized as “National Prayer Day”. It was established in 1952, and was designated by the United States Congress as a day when people are asked to turn to God in prayer and meditation. This year’s National Prayer Day is slated for May 6th, however, this observance seems to be in jeopardy!

According to the Associated Press, a federal judge, Barbara Crabb, ruled that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional. :readthis:
She claims that the day amounts to a call for religious action, and that the United States government can not make laws supporting a prayer day anymore than it can make laws to encourage a day for other religious observances.

BUT…is the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional? NO! The first amendment to the United States Constitution says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances"

NOTE: The National Day of Prayer neither establishes a religion (because prayer is not a religion) nor does it promote a particular religion because every religion that exists in our country prays: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Wiccans, Native Americans, Shintoist…everyone.
:pray::priest::rabbi::worthy:

According to the American Family Association:
The tradition of national days of prayer goes back to our very first congress and our first president. Just two days after members of Congress passed the First Amendment, they asked President George Washington to declare a national day of thanksgiving and prayer. In response to this request from Congress, President Washington, less than a week after passage of the First Amendment, issued just such a proclamation on October 3, 1789.

From a merely historical point of view, this makes it clear that it is preposterous to suggest that there is anything unconstitutional about a national day of prayer. Judge Crabb seems dangerously unaware of American history and the true meaning of the First Amendment, which was designed to protect freedom of religious expression, not stamp it out.

On Thursday, May 6, I invite you to participate in Meet At City Hall from 12:20 pm to 12:40 pm during the National Day Of Prayer. At thousands of city halls across the country, individuals will gather to pray for a moral rebirth in our country. The National Day of Prayer is an annual event established by an act of Congress which encourages Americans to pray for our nation, its people and its leaders.

Your participation in Meet At City Hall is very simple. Simply show up at your local city hall at 12:20 pm on Thursday, May 6. There will be others present. Spend the 20 minutes in prayer.

If you want to help promote Meet At City Hall, we suggest you invite members of your Sunday School class or church to join together and organize, as you desire. You can invite some public officials, local pastors, church choirs, etc. to participate. The amount of organization and promotion is entirely up to you. Let us unashamedly take our Light from underneath the basket and set it on a table.

Not that I'm the activist type, but I do think that it's an infringement on our rights to take this day away from us simply because the atheists think God is foolishness. :cry:

God Bless you all, and let your light SHINE! :idea:

Hey Tami! :airkiss:
I've done some thinking on this in the recent past, especially with all the talk about restricting prayer in schools. I came to my own conclusion about it, which is - it doesn't matter a bit(to me). I think it's the peoples' responsibility to pray when and where they want, and no one can restrict that inalienable right of a person - law or no law, special day or none. It's bizarre that some think they're able to even do that!

As long as one doesn't make a big show of prayer - as Jesus said we should actually go into our own 'room' to pray unhindered, and he condemned the publc displays of the self-righteous - then anyone can pray anywhere they are. We don't need a special day or hour. Christians can pray 'continuously' if they so please, and no one would even know. That's what I think was so goofy about restricting prayer in schools - a school child can approach their heavenly Father in prayer whenever they want, silently and discretely - as it should be. It's not something that can be 'disallowed'!

I actually think the government should not be involved in religious efforts of any kind - it's not their duty to teach God - it's the parents duty. I heard Dr. Phil say the other day that schools should give classes on how to treat others - the topic was bullying. And I thought - what a load! It's the parents' responsibility to teach those good things - whether it falls under the Golden Rule, according to their religious beliefs, or not. Parents shouldn't trust the government-run schools to teach their children right from wrong - that should be taught at home. But then... so many families are broken and dysfunctional and over-loaded, it seems they want to pass off the most important things to others. Rrrrrrrrant, lol!

Anyway - I feel strongly that the responsibility of prayer is ours alone, and no one can take away our right to do so whenever and wherever we please, as long as a big show isn't made of it. Who can stop us? No one! We don't need one special day set aside for it - everyday is The Day to Pray! :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:

jmo - I hope it helps.
Love to you and Chuck :grouphug:

You're absolutely right, Willa -- anyone can pray at any time, there doesn't need to be a special day for it. :thumbsup:

My biggest issue, though, is the gradual de-God-ing of society. Yeah, I know it's supposed to happen as we get on through the last days, but I still hate it. Can't have prayer meetings in school. Can't have nativity displays in school. Tried to get the words "under God" out of the pledge. Now they're trying to tear down The National Day of Prayer. :help:

Atheists really do have their ideals all backwards; you don't see us Christians going to court to take away their Easter bunnies and Santa Clauses!