April 29, 2016: Del Rio News-Herald * OPINION * Letter to the Editor * May 5 - National Day of Prayer
Letter to the Editor,
May 5 - National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance celebrated by Americans of various faiths. On this special day of observance people are asked to turn to God in prayer and meditation.
The National Day of Prayer is held on the first
Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for our nation. This day
was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and
signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
In 2008, the Freedom from Religion Foundation sued to challenge the designation of a National Day of Prayer. In 2010, a federal judge ruled that the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional as it is "an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function." A three judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously overturned that decision.
Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.
In 2008, the Freedom from Religion Foundation sued to challenge the designation of a National Day of Prayer. In 2010, a federal judge ruled that the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional as it is "an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function." A three judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously overturned that decision.
Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.
During this highly controversial and contentious
Presidential Election Year we especially need to pray for the voters and the
candidates.
We
need to pray for an educated electorate who will examine all the issues and the
candidates and vote in a way that is best for our nation, not just a popularity
contest, or for their own well-being or self interest. Much prayer is needed
for this critical process of electing our next President. Pray for all the
citizens of this country that we may all exercise our highly privileged right
to vote in our Presidential Election.
We
need to pray for the candidates for the office of the Presidency of the United
States: that they will take brave stands for doing what is right, even when it
may not be well received; that they and their families be protected from harm;
that they will surround themselves with Godly advisors; that they will focus on
the issues we face as a nation. Praying for candidates does not mean praying
just for those we agree with or support. All of our leaders need our prayers to
help sustain them during this most challenging time.
During
this year’s National Day of Prayer, let us all lift up our prayers and
petitions in unison to open the floodgates of God’s Mercy upon our country.
On
May 5, pray for God to bless our nation.
Marian
Casillas, Ed.D.