First, each year in America we observe as a nation a day referred to as: "The National Day of Prayer". It is officially held on the first Thursday in the month of May. In 2012, it was held on May 3rd.
The day itself has been designated by the United States Congress, and it is a day when all the people of this nation are asked to "turn to God in prayer and in meditation". Each year, the day comes with a proclamation from the President of the United States, encouraging all Americans to make some time...to pray on this day. It is officially sanctioned by both the President and the United States Congress.
The modern law of this official day was formalized in 1952, although the "National Day of Prayer" has historical origins dating to a mandate proclaimed by the 1st President of the United States, the honorable George Washington.
The National Day of Prayer itself has not always been observed without being challenged. In April of 2011, the group " Freedom from Religion Foundation", made an unsuccessful attempt to have this day of observance...completely dismissed. Instead, their proposal was completely dismissed, being voted down by Congress...in an unanimous vote.
In today's society here in America, the National Day of Prayer has become an inter-faith day of prayer. The National Day of Prayer is celebrated by many Americans of various faiths: Muslims, Hindus, the Jewish faith, Sikhs, and various denominations within the Christian faith. It is a day that one might see a Baptist holding hand with a member of the Roman Catholic faith. The day is geared for all to cry out to their God...or gods...according to whom a person has chosen to serve.
On May 1st of 2012, President Obama made this official "National Day of Prayer" proclamation:
" Prayer has always been a part of the American story, and today countless Americans rely on prayer for comfort, direction, and strength, praying not only for themselves, but for their communities, their country, and the world.
On this National Day of Prayer, we give thanks for our democracy that respects the beliefs and protects the religious freedom of all people to pray, worship, or abstain to the dictates of their conscience. Let us pray for all the citizens of our great Nation, particularly those who are sick, mourning, or without hope, and ask God for the sustenance to meet the challenges we face as a Nation. May we embrace the responsibility we have to each other, and rely on the better angels of our nature in service to one another. Let us be humble in our convictions, and courageous in our virtue. Let us pray for those suffering around the world, and let us be open to opportunities to ease that suffering.
Let us also pray tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces who have answered our country's call to serve with honor in the pursuit of peace. Our grateful Nation is humbled by the sacrifices made to protect and defend our security and freedom. Let us pray for continued strength and safety of our service members and their families. While we pause to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending liberty, let us remember and lend our voices to the principles for which they fought...unity, human dignity, and the pursuit of justice.
NOW, THEREFORE I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3rd, 2012 as a National Day of Prayer. I invite all citizens of our Nation, as their own faith directs them, to join me in giving thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I call upon individuals of all faiths to pray for guidance, grace, and protection for our great Nation as we address the challenges of our time.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth. BARACK OBAMA"
The story goes that President Lincoln had written a rough draft of what he had intended to say at his first address, and handed it to a William Seward, at that time the Secretary of State. Seward recommended Lincoln conclude with conciliatory words, and "scratched in" a few sentences for Lincoln to consider.
Seward had gotten the phrase "better angel" from a novel written by the great English literary Charles Dickens in his novel "Barnaby Rudge" written in 1841. There is no evidence Lincoln read Dickens....but Seward certainly did.
Seward had written the words "better angel", and then replaced it with "guardian angel of the Nation". Lincoln, upon reading the suggestions...looked at Seward and said: "better angels of our nature".
Shakespeare had also used the words "better angel" in his writing of "Othello"...and it is certain Lincoln had read the writings of Shakespeare.
And there was yet another prayer of national magnitude...given on May 3rd, 2012.....
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