National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is an annual holiday observed on the first Thursday of May. On this day, Americans are called to pray for their country, their loved ones, and the nation’s well-being.

History

The idea of establishing a national day for prayer was first proposed by the first U.S. President, George Washington. He suggested that people of different faiths could gather in one place and pray for their country. However, the National Day of Prayer was not officially approved by the U.S. Congress until 1952.

Since its approval, Americans of various faiths—Christians, Catholics, Hindus, Muslims, Jews—are encouraged to turn to God in prayer. This day unites people from different religious backgrounds as they offer prayers for the country and their loved ones.

Interesting Facts

The National Day of Prayer has several notable aspects:

• Each year, the President of the United States signs a proclamation calling on citizens to pray for the nation.
• Not all Americans support the holiday. The organization Freedom from Religion Foundation expressed opposition and even filed a lawsuit arguing that the Day of Prayer was unconstitutional. However, their attempts were unsuccessful.
• In addition to collective prayers, many Americans celebrate with large festive dinners accompanied by music and prayers dedicated to America’s prosperity.

When is National Day of Prayer in 2025?

The National Day of Prayer is observed on the first Thursday of May each year.

Observations