Governor Jan Brewer Celebrates 61st Annual National Day of Prayer
PHOENIX – In conjunction with the 61st
Annual National Day of Prayer, Governor Jan Brewer today declared May
3, 2012, an “Arizona Day of Prayer” through an official proclamation.
Also
today, the Governor will file with the Arizona Superior Court a motion
to dismiss a lawsuit brought against her for similar proclamations the
Governor has issued in past years commemorating a Day of Prayer.
“Arizonans have been voluntarily coming together in prayer for
generations,” said Governor Brewer. “I am honored to once again
recognize a fundamental freedom and join the millions of Americans of
all faiths and backgrounds to pray for wisdom, courage and guidance and
give thanks for the countless blessings bestowed upon us.”
Uniting in prayer is a custom as old as our Nation. The first national
call to prayer was issued in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked
the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. In 1952, President
Harry S. Truman signed legislation proclaiming that a National Day of
Prayer must be declared by each subsequent president on an appropriate
date of his choice. Today, our country celebrates this historic day on
the first Thursday of each May.
In recent years, out-of-state groups have tried unsuccessfully to
challenge the constitutionality of recognized days of prayer.
Specifically, the Freedom from Religion Foundation – a Wisconsin-based
group – has attempted to block the State of Arizona from commemorating
an Arizona Day of Prayer. A U.S. District Court has already dismissed
one lawsuit from the group, and Governor Brewer is optimistic the
Arizona Superior Court will now take similar action.
“I’ll keep fighting for our ability to commemorate a voluntary Day of
Prayer, because I know how important it is to the many Arizonans who
rely on the power of prayer during times of both triumph and tragedy,”
said Governor Brewer. “Our ability to gather, worship and pray is one of
the most valuable freedoms granted to us by the Constitution. I
encourage everyone – regardless of race, creed or political persuasion –
to exercise that freedom today as we pray for the safety of our service
members, our State and our Nation.”
This year, our country celebrates the theme, “One Nation Under God,”
based on Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
National Day of Prayer Events in Payson:
Noon, Rumsey Park, Ramada #5
National Day of Prayer Events in Payson:
Noon, Rumsey Park, Ramada #5
7 p.m. Mountain Bible Church, 302 E. Rancho Road
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