United States Congress (April 17, 1952) passed Public Law 82-324; 66 Stat. 64, to set aside an annual National Day of Prayer:
<Joint Resolution to provide for setting aside an appropriate day as a National Day of Prayer.
The U.S. Senate Report No. 1389, April 2, 1952, of the 82nd Congress, 2nd Session, Calendar No. 1324, ordered to be printed the report of Mr. McCarran, from the Committee on the Judiciary:
The Committee on the Judiciary, to which was referred the resolution (H.J. Res. 382) directing the President to proclaim a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon, without amendment, and recommends that the resolution do pass.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the proposed legislation is to direct the President to proclaim a National Day of Prayer each year.
STATEMENT
From its beginning the United States of America has been a nation fully cognizant of the value of prayer. In the early days of colonization, the Pilgrims frequently engaged in prayer. When the delegates to the Constitutional Convention encountered difficulties in the writing and formation of a Constitution for this Nation, prayer was suggested and became an established practice at succeeding sessions. Today, both Houses of the Congress are opened daily with prayer.
Prayer has indeed been a vital force in the growth and development of this Nation. It would certainly be appropriate if, pursuant to this resolution and the proclamation it urges, the people of this country were to unite in a day of prayer each year, each in accordance with his own religious faith, thus reaffirming in a dramatic manner the deep religious convictions which has prevailed throughout the history of the United States.> 1952US002
On June 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman issued Proclamation 2978, declaring an annual National Day of Prayer:
<Whereas from the earliest days of our history our people have been accustomed to turn to Almighty God for help and guidance; and
Whereas in times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace and security we stand in special need of divine support; and
Whereas the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on April 17, 1952 (66 Stat. 64), has provided that the President "shall set aside and proclaim a suitable day each year, other than Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation"; and
Whereas I deem it fitting that this Day of Prayer coincide with the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which published to the world this Nation's "firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence":
Now, Therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Friday, July 4, 1952, as a National Day of Prayer, on which all of us, in our churches, in our homes, and in our hearts, may beseech God to grant us wisdom to know the course which we should follow, and strength and patience to pursue that course steadfastly. May we also give thanks to Him for His constant watchfulness over us in every hour of national prosperity and national peril.
In Witness Thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington this 17th day of June in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventy-sixth. Harry S. Truman.> 1952US003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
1952US002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, April 17, 1952, by a Joint Resolution of the House and Senate, passed Public Law 82-324; 66 Stat. 64, to provide for setting aside an appropriate day as a National Day of Prayer. Courtesy of Bruce Barilla, Christian Heritage Week Ministry (P.O. Box 58, Athens, W.V. 24712; 304-384-7707, 304-384-9044 fax). United States Congress, April 2, 1952, in U.S. Senate Report No. 1389, of the 82nd Congress, 2nd Session, Calendar No. 1324, ordered to be printed the report of Mr. McCarran, from the Committee on the Judiciary, to accompany H.J. Res. 382.
1952US003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, June 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman issued Proclamation 2978, declaring a National Day of Prayer.