National Day of Prayer - May 5

The 60th Annual National Day of Prayer will be next Thursday and there are two local meetings scheduled.  Everyone is welcome.

This year’s theme, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” is based on Psalm 91:2: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer.  In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

Recently, on April 14th, a panel of the U.S. court of appeals overturned last year’s ruling that such a national observance was unconstitutional.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, based in Chicago, ruled 3-0 that the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and its plaintiffs do not have standing to continue their challenge of the 1952 congressional act declaring an annual National Day of Prayer.  According to the appeals court ruling, the proclamation imposes no requirement on a person and therefore no one is hurt by a request that can be declined. 

Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force and wife of Focus on the Family Founder Dr. James Dobson, said “I applaud the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.  Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence on the Almighty. Prayer is an indispensable part of our heritage, and as citizens, we must remain faithful in our commitment to intercede for our nation during this pivotal and challenging time.”

Be encouraged to join with millions of other Americans in public prayer on Thursday, May 5, and add a prayer of thanksgiving for your awareness that public prayer is part of our heritage.

Local gatherings will be held, Thursday, May 5, at  …

Enumclaw City Hall (steps), 1339 Griffin Avenue, Enumclaw, 12:00 noon                                                          (For information contact Bruce Thweatt, 360-825-5437)

and

 Lake Sawyer Christian Church, 31605 Lake Sawyer Rd, Black Diamond, 6:30 am, 12:30 pm and 7 pm                             (For information contact Jenny Hannaford, 360-625-8543)