We know by the divine instincts Almighty God has placed within us that we are His creation and that we live and breathe at His sovereign will. While human pride often carries us into long seasons of self-reliance, and even self-worship, catastrophe reminds us that we are not in control of the world, our country, our neighborhoods, our homes, or even our very next heartbeat. We are, of all things, vulnerable and exposed – and deep down inside, we know it.

In times of national tragedy and duress, leaders have faithfully called upon the residents of the United States to humble themselves before Almighty God through fasting and prayer. We are living in such a time – and we would be wise to humble ourselves before Almighty God in prayer.

I want to personally encourage you to participate in Williamsport’s National Day of Prayer event. Even if you can’t participate in the event, I encourage you to take time to humble yourself before Almighty God and pray. My friends, Almighty God is our only and truest hope. Amen.
General George Washington Proclamation of a National Day of Prayer, May 15, 1776

The Continental Congress having ordered Friday the 17th instant to be observed as a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please Him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the arms of the United Colonies, and finally establish the peace and freedom of America upon a solid and lasting foundation; the General commands all officers and soldiers to pay strict obedience to the orders of the Continental Congress; that, by their unfeigned and pious observance of their religious duties, they may incline the Lord and Giver of victory to prosper our arms.”
Public Law 82-324, April 17, 1952, Signed by President Truman

The President shall set aside and proclaim a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, 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.
Public Law 100-307, May 5, 1988, Signed by President Ronal Reagan

The President shall set aside and proclaim the First Thursday in May in each year, 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.
Excerpt from President Biden’s Proclamation, 2023

In periods of peace and prosperity and in times of struggle and strife, countless Americans turn to prayer to seek guidance, bolster our faith, and brace our spirits when we need it most. Prayer is both a personal and communal act — composed of our most intimate thoughts and a practice observed by multitudes across our diverse Nation in every language, culture, religion, and belief system. On this National Day of Prayer, we recognize the profound power of prayer, grounded in deep humility and hope.

The right to pray is enshrined in our Constitution and stamped firmly in the American tradition. The belief that prayer can move mountains is, at its core, a belief in making the impossible possible. There is nothing more American than believing in the endless possibilities of what we can do when we do it together.

Throughout our history, prayer has empowered moral movements and fueled efforts to strengthen our democracy. It was deeply rooted in the fight to abolish slavery and the expansion of voting rights and voter access. And it continues to compel us to uphold our founding creed that all of us are created equal, are made in the image of God, and deserve to be treated with dignity and equality throughout our lives.

We will never fully know how prayer has quietly influenced every aspect of American life — bringing comfort to service members on the battlefield, grounding the spirits of astronauts in space, guiding the healing hands of medical professionals tending to our loved ones, and fortifying the faiths of millions of worshippers in every corner of our Nation. There is hardly an aspect of American life that is not touched by the silent supplications of prayer to fulfill our hopes and our aspirations.