May 03, 2007

The National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

A prayerful spirit has always been an important part of our national character, and it is a force that has guided the American people, given us strength, and sustained us in moments of joy and in times of challenge. On this National Day of Prayer, we acknowledge God's grace and ask for His continued guidance in the life of our Nation.

Americans of many faiths and traditions share a common belief that God hears the prayers of His children and shows grace to those who seek Him. Following the tragedy at Virginia Tech, in towns all across America, in houses of worship from every faith, Americans have joined together to pray for the lives that were lost and for their families, friends, and loved ones. We hold the victims in our hearts and pray for those who suffer and grieve. There is a power in these prayers, and we can find comfort in the grace and guidance of a loving God.

At this important time in our history, we also pray for the brave members of our Armed Forces and their families. We pray for their safety, for the recovery of the wounded, and for the peace we all seek.

The Congress, by Public Law 100-307, as amended, has called on our Nation to reaffirm the role of prayer in our society and to respect the freedom of religion by recognizing each year a "National Day of Prayer."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 3, 2007, as a National Day of Prayer. I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance, comfort, and protection. I invite all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Are any Buddhist groups celebrating this? Does anybody have an opinion?

For me, I have been trying to expand my prayer beyond national boundaries and beyond sectarian boundaries. Today is as good a day as any to work even harder at that goal.

Be prayerful, be patriotic, be cool.

Byrd in LA

Posted by wahzoh at May 3, 2007 12:06 PM
Comments

I have participated in the National Day of Prayer for the past few years through the local Interfaith Council.

A friend of mine in Texas, who is an SGI member, is also active in interfaith and is participating in an interfaith National Day of Prayer event there.

In both our locations, the main NDOP activity, though, is a strictly born-again Christian event. Here, it's a prayer breakfast.

My friend, SGTex, wrote a letter to his local newspaper about this:

"Thursday, May 03 is the National Day of Prayer. Once again this year, Abilene will have two major public observances at noon.

The one at downtown Minter Park will be replete with good karma, so it is there that Buddhist taxpayers such as I must go if we want to participate and have our equality under the law respected. There we Muslims or Jews or Hindus must go, and not to our City Hall.

The little downtown National Day of Prayer event is organized by the courageous Abilene Interfaith Council and should be attended by those who believe in civil rights, the constitution and things like that.

The City Hall observance was Interfaith in 2005, the one memorable (historic, actually) time---and then last year things quite reverted and the city government went back to hosting/endorsing an NDOP event at which only one faith color is welcome to participate. I'm no lawyer, but to any smattering of an understanding, on its face this is contrary to the First Amendment promise not to have establishment of religion. Because, don't y'all see, of the location.

The exclusivist “Christian-only” observance should be the one held in a park, because City Hall cannot lawfully favor one religion over another. I wonder and am amazed that the American Civil Liberties Union and/or People for the American Way aren't here to advise by now. I guess I'd better at least e-mail them a copy."

Posted by: Michele at May 3, 2007 01:09 PM

The group I belong to is called Americans United for Separation of Church and State. I send them an occasional contribution to help keep the "fundys" out of my gubmint (at least I think that's how they say it in texas - gubmint?)

Thanks for the example of a brave SGI member out there standing up against the raging winds of fundamentalism.

Yer pal, Byrd

Posted by: Byrd at May 3, 2007 01:39 PM

Hi Byrd,

My friend SGTex (quoted above) posted on his blog about the Abilene NDOP event:

http://waltzinacrosstexas.blogspot.com/2007/05/our-interfaith-national-day-of-prayer.html

Michele

Posted by: Michele at May 9, 2007 10:59 PM