History of the National Day Of Prayer

History of Prayer in the United States

Days of Prayer have a long history in America.

Colonists declared Days of Prayer during droughts, Indian attacks and threats from other nations. Edward Winslow’s record of the Pilgrims’ experiences, reprinted in Alexander Young’s Chronicles of the Pilgrims (Boston, 1841), stated: “Drought and the like considerations moved not only every good man privately to enter into examination with his own estate between God and his conscience, and so to humiliation before Him, but also to humble ourselves together before the Lord by Fasting and Prayer.”

In colonial Connecticut, settlers proclaimed by legal authority a day in early spring for Fasting and Prayer. The governor customarily selected Good Friday as the annual spring fast.

As raids from France and Spain increased, Ben Franklin proposed a General Fast, which was approved by Pennsylvania’s President and Council, and published in the Pennsylvania Gazette, December 12, 1747:

“We have…thought fit…to appoint…a Day of Fasting & Prayer, exhorting all, both Ministers & People…to join with one accord in the most humble & fervent supplications that Almighty God would mercifully interpose and still the rage of war among the nations & put a stop to the effusion of Christian blood.”

On May 24, 1774, Thomas Jefferson drafted a Resolution for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer to be observed as the British blockaded Boston’s Harbor . . . it passed unanimously

George Washington wrote in his diary, June 1, 1774: “Went to church, fasted all day.”

On April 15, 1775, just four days before the Battle of Lexington, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, led by John Hancock, declared: “In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as men and Christians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments…the 11th of May next be set apart as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer…to confess the sins…to implore the Forgiveness of all our Transgression.”

On July 12, 1775, in a letter to his wife explaining the Continental Congress’ decision to declare a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, John Adams wrote: “We have appointed a Continental fast. Millions will be upon their knees at once before their great Creator, imploring His forgiveness and blessing; His smiles on American Council and arms.”

On November 11, 1779, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson signed a Proclamation of Prayer, which stated: “Congress…hath thought proper…to recommend to the several States…a day of public and solemn Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his mercies, and of Prayer, for the continuance of his favor…

On November 8, 1783, at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Massachusetts Governor John Hancock issued: “The Citizens of these United States have every Reason for Praise and Gratitude to the God of their salvation…

On February 21, 1786, New Hampshire Governor John Langdon proclaimed: a Day of Public Fasting and Prayer: “It having been the laudable practice of this State, at the opening of the Spring, to set apart a day…to…penitently confess their manifold sins and transgressions, and fervently implore the divine benediction, that a true spirit of repentance and humiliation may be poured out upon all…

El 15 de abril de 1775, apenas cuatro días antes de la Batalla de Lexington, el Congreso Provincial de Massachusetts, dirigido por John Hancock, declaró: “En circunstancias tan oscuras como estas, nos corresponde a nosotros, como hombres y cristianos, reflexionar que, mientras todo prudente debe tomarse medida para prevenir los juicios inminentes… el próximo 11 de mayo sea señalado como Día de Humillación Pública, Ayuno y Oración… para confesar los pecados… para implorar el Perdón de todas nuestras Transgresiones.”

El 12 de julio de 1775, en una carta a su esposa explicando la decisión del Congreso Continental de declarar un Día de Humillación Pública, Ayuno y Oración, John Adams escribió: “Hemos designado un ayuno continental. Millones estarán de rodillas a la vez ante su gran Creador, implorando Su perdón y bendición; Sus sonrisas en el Consejo Estadosunidense y las armas”.

El 11 de noviembre de 1779, el gobernador de Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, firmó una Proclamación de Oración, que decía: “El Congreso… ha considerado apropiado… recomendar a los diversos Estados… un día de acción de gracias pública y solemne al Dios Todopoderoso, por sus misericordias, y de oración, por la permanencia de su favor…

El 8 de noviembre de 1783, al concluir la Guerra Revolucionaria, el gobernador de Massachusetts, John Hancock, emitió: “Los ciudadanos de estos Estados Unidos tienen todos los motivos para alabar y agradecer al Dios de su salvación…

El 21 de febrero de 1786, el gobernador de New Hampshire, John Langdon, proclamó: un día público de ayuno y oración: “Habiendo sido una práctica loable de este estado, al comienzo de la primavera, apartar un día… para… .confesar penitentemente sus múltiples pecados y transgresiones, e implorar fervientemente la bendición divina, para que se derrame sobre todos un verdadero espíritu de arrepentimiento y humillación…