National Day Of Prayer 2012: President Obama Issues Proclamation

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, 2012
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A 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 according 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 who are suffering around the world, and let us be open to opportunities to ease that suffering.

Let us also pay 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 the 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 3, 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 WHEREOF, 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

Comments

[LadyD1979]

07:10 AM on 11/11/2012

I will pray for Mr President , so that he will return to the biblical principles that USA is founded upon. i will pray for him also because i understand he is under great pressure. Mr President you must understand that as a leader of this great nation, you cant expect to receive Gods help when you decide to abandon what He stands for. I pray for wisdom in Jesus Name.

[raker]

09:08 PM on 05/09/2012

When's the churches' celebration of secularism?

[Chuck The Canuck]

01:43 PM on 05/09/2012

I’m suspicious of a nation that prides itself on the religious delusions of its leaders.

“Faith” is just “wishful thinking’s” slightly less attractive step-sister.

[rhendel14]

10:46 PM on 05/08/2012

Are they praying to rocks the sun or things that go bump in the night. I don't see the difference. Seems like the only thing that has evolved is our use of language.

[FaithIsIgnorance]

11:49 AM on 05/08/2012

I just threw up in my mouth a little.

[Brandon Redding]

08:49 AM on 05/08/2012

I do not get these comment sections at all. Why can we all not get along. We have more issues other than religion right now, much, much larger issues. The growing problem with drugs in this country, jobs, gang violence and the ever rising price of oil, but yet we argue over prayer? Come on people, get a grip.

[PEHW]

11:06 AM on 05/08/2012

I agree with you about the need for civil discourse. However, Huffington Post has a myriad of topics that appeal to many interests. This discussion is just one. I find it interesting and sometimes sad to read what others think. Also, fact checking some of them is really a great way to stimulate the brain.

[Brandon Redding]

08:15 AM on 05/09/2012

I do not disagree with you at all, but everyone on Huffington post comment pages seem to have all the answers, which I find quite humorous. If I seemed to know everything, I would run for office an try and make a change. This goes for Christians and Atheists alike and Conservatives and Liberals too. I know people are interested in this stuff, as am I, but fighting back and forth over the meaningless does nothing but create a wider gap between those groups. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream and the way our country has turned, that dream is dying daily.

[CmeKK]

08:38 PM on 06/19/2012

You hit the nail on the head, Brandon. If people cared whether their kids were getting prayer in school, they're not caring enough about their kids. Because taking them to church, letting them get to know Jesus and all his gracious principles and love, and saying a prayer with and for their kids AT HOME before they get out into the world, would impress me more!!! And we need to address the real problems like you said. You are right in so many ways!! Good job. Parents, do your job if you care about your famiy!

[wulfpjoke1]

04:56 PM on 05/07/2012

BO you are KA. You can't out Billy Graham Billy Graham...We should have a test, Those of faith in the whole of the US pray for no tornadoes for the rest of the year- the rest will just keep silent. At the end of the year we can see who won and score which was reason and which was fantasy. OH yeah I forgot if you test it or question it you don't have faith and if you don't have faith then you don't get the reward. Beautiful self fulfilling prophecy. Heck do whatever makes you feel good just don't --please- force everyone else to live it your way.

[ccccclearly]

07:29 AM on 05/07/2012

"i disagree ! I think that there are millions of closet atheists out there. They go to church and pretend to worship for political. social and economic reasons. Case in point! 10 % of americans claim to be atheist an less than 1% pf those in congress...representative govt? you tell me!"
So, according to your numbers about ninety percent of the atheists in congress are willing to lie about their core belief or lack thereof for "political, social or economic" reasons. Interesting when you think of how many people of faith have been executed through out history for not renouncing their beliefs.

[raker]

08:30 PM on 05/06/2012

National day of shame.

[independentM]

10:18 PM on 05/01/2013

I will pray for you.

[raker]

10:40 PM on 05/01/2013

I don't believe in magic, so your spells can't hurt me.

[thebigbike]

03:03 PM on 05/06/2012

Not MY nation !

[Abnormal Wrench]

02:41 PM on 05/04/2012

I prayed for alcohol, and then got it after work at the bar. It was a miracle.

[Deut8]

01:08 PM on 05/04/2012

NO harm making the Proclamation.. every PRESIDENT has done so.. and where were you naysayers THEN? Happy as a lark..and quiet as RATZ pissin on cotton.. this nation double standards and hyprocisy STINKS to high Heaven..

[balrog221]

11:55 AM on 05/04/2012

Running for National office requires DADT for atheists and pretense of religion.

[balrog221]

11:46 AM on 05/04/2012

is he muttering from the Koran, The Bible or the communist manifesto? LOL depends who you ask I guess.

[Deut8]

01:14 PM on 05/04/2012

watch out.. eventually you will shot yourshelf in the head ..making a comment like that.. ask the family of those who have committed suicide.. who hate sooo much as a race -based hater..are tormented souls..and suffer mentallywith insanity..and eventually commit suicide.

[balrog221]

06:01 PM on 05/05/2012

you got me wrong I am merely anticipating the commentary. I suspect that he is a closet atheist which comports with my thinking!

[MIKEinNYC]

08:38 AM on 05/04/2012

National Day of Make-Believe.

[independentM]

10:19 PM on 05/01/2013

What fools.