| WASHINGTON- Joining other members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, Missouri Congressman Akin (R-2) decried the finding of a Federal Court that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb issued the decision in a case filed by The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) that sought to strike down a 1988 law giving the President the authority to designate the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer.
"It is a tragedy that such rancor has been fomented by some that are adamant in their contempt for bringing Americans of various faiths together during a day of prayer," said Akin. "I am hopeful that the higher courts will exercise greater wisdom and overturn this petty attack against a wonderful shared spiritual heritage of prayer."
Examples of past declarations for national prayer and fasting include:
- In the midst of the Civil War, President Lincoln in his Proclamation of Thanksgiving on October 3, 1863 invited fellow citizens to pray. He stated: "I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to our beneficent Father, who dwelleth in the heavens.
- The first Continental Congress made this declaration in 1777: "It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ....."
- The Continental Congress declared a fast on March 16, 1776: "In Congress that Friday, the Seventeenth day of May next, be observed by the said colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer....."
- Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation, 57 in all.
- There have been 135 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States from 1789-2009.
Congressman Akin has joined an amicus brief in challenging the Federal Court's decision.
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