History
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Our Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
Significance of the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.
Like Thanksgiving or Christmas, this day has become a national observance placed on all Hallmark calendars and observed annually across the nation and in Washington, D.C. Every year, local, state, and federal observances were held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for our nation. It is estimated that over two million people attended more than 30,000 observances – organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers. At state capitols, county court houses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches and homes, people stopped their activities and gathered for prayer.
The National Day of Prayer is Ours
The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans. It is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. Mrs. Shirley Dobson, NDP chairman, reminds us: “We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep. I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too.”
Historical Summary
Significance of the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people. The unanimous passage of the bill establishing the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.
Like Thanksgiving or Christmas, this day has become a national observance placed on all Hallmark calendars and observed annually across the nation and in Washington, D.C. Every year, local, state, and federal observances were held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for our nation. It is estimated that over two million people attended more than 30,000 observances – organized by approximately 40,000 volunteers. At state capitols, county court houses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches and homes, people stopped their activities and gathered for prayer.
The National Day of Prayer is Ours
The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans. It is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. Mrs. Shirley Dobson, NDP chairman, reminds us: “We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep. I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too.”
Historical Summary
- 1775 – The first Continental Congress calls for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting.
- 1863 – Abraham Lincoln calls for a National Day of Prayer.
- 1952 – Harry S. Truman declares a National Day of Prayer and signs into law an annual observance there of – United States Congress passed Joint Resolution 382 on April 17, 1952/ President Truman signs Public Law 82-324 (Public Law 82-324; 66 Stat. 64—April 17, 1952).
- 1988 – Ronald Reagan signs into law the designation of the first Thursday in May as the annual observance for the National Day of Prayer – President Reagan signs Public Law 100-307 January 25, 1988, in the Second Session of the One Hundredth Congress (Public Law 100-307—May 5, 1988).
- 1998 – Pub. L. 105-225, August 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1258: The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. This law was signed by President Clinton.
Past Speakers
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Year
1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 |
Speaker
Mort Crim Charles B. Gill Jr. Dr. Anthony Campolo Rick Little Hon. Marta Tekle-Wold Dr. John C. Stevens Col. James B. Irwin Boyd H. Dowler Blenda J. Wilson Michael Timmis Alonzo I. McDonals Richard L. Fenstermacher Jim Barrett Arlin E. Ness Govern John Engler Cap. Gerald Coffee Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Bruce McDonald Meadowlark Lemon LaDonna Gatlin Art Linkletter LeAnn Thieman Dave Dravecky Jim Morris Hayes W. Jones Michael Reagan Ruth Graham Ernie Harwell LTC Steve Russell Kirk Cameron Krish Dhanam Dr. Mary Neale Lt. Col Oliver North Dr. Nancy Fishman Amy Grant Rev. Faith Fowler Bob Goff Rebekah Gregory Dr. Klint Pleasant Dr. Klint Pleasant Ronnie McBrayer |
Speaker Background
WDIV-TV Anchor President Liberty Northwest Insurance Dept of Sociology & Youth Min. Easter Col PA Founder Quest National Center Ethiopia's First Woman Senator Chancellor, Abilene University Apollo 15 Astronaut NFL Coach and Former Green Bay Packer Chancellor, U of M Dearborn Sr. Partner, Marco Timmis & Inman CEO Avenier Group Inc Exec. Director NAAO Ford Motor Co. Pres/CEO Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Starr Commonwealth Gov. State of Michigan Vietnam, POW Miss America 1987 Chaplain Philadelphia 76rs Roch. Native Harlem Globetrotter/ minister Sister of the famous Gatlin brothers TV & Movie Star Vietnam Orphan Airlift - Author Baseball Star - San Fran Giants/Cancer Survivor Baseball Star - Tampa Devil Rays/The Rookie Olympic Medalist/Oak County Dir of Econ Dev. Radio Talk show host son of Pres. Ronald Reagan Child of popular Evangelist Rev. Billy Graham Baseball Hall of Famer and Announcer American Hero-Oversaw capture of Saddam Hussein Actor - Growing Pains & Left Behind Industrial Evangelist Author - Life after Death Experience Patriot - Military Advocate Forgotten Harvest, Rochester Michigan Top Selling Christian Music Artist Cass Community Social Services Author - Love Does & Everybody, Always Boston Marathon Survivor/Author - Taking My Life Back Rochester University Rochester University Author/Writer - Keeping the Faith |
Chair
Fred Houghten Ross Lindsay Dr. Joseph Champagne Dr. John Schultz Dr. Bruce A. Kresge Lillie L. Smalley Robert J. McGarry Dr. William L. Ebinger Dr. John F. Solverson Bruce Bordine Ted Glynn Jerry Carvey Vern A. Pixley Noel Huyck Penny Crissman Frank Cardiman Bill Morgan Les Posey Dr. Kenneth Snell Vito A. Pampalona Lawrence R. Ternan Mary Ann Reidinger Dr. E. Mike Raphtis John Gaber David Bray Dr. Walter J. Kubinski Susan Davies James Lionas Brent A. Blankenship JoAnn Marino Thomas Welch Patricia Botkin Nancy Salvia Melinda Conway Callahan Michael S. Bylen Dave de Steiger Dr. Sara Whedon Patrick McKay Craig Wolanin Craig Wolanin Doug Tull |
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