Don't be surprised if opposition surfaces this week as you and I get ready for the National Day of Prayer.
Without question, there will be those who are OFFENDED by our observance of this day, claiming it violates the Constitution and the separation of church and state.
But those critics should understand what you and I - and many other Americans - already know:
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER IS *NOT* A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS!
The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment simply states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an Establishment of Religion ..."
NOTHING about the National Day of Prayer accomplishes such an Establishment of Religion. And there is no legal precedent to suggest that such an observance violates the Constitution.
In fact, the opposite is true. THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS REPEATEDLY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTS RELIGIOUS SPEECH. And the court has made it clear that THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DISCRIMINATE against religious speech simply because it is religious in nature.
SO THERE IS NOTHING ILLEGAL OR UNCONSTITUTIONAL ABOUT THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER! (If you do hear of threats against National Day of Prayer activities in your community, please contact us right away at www.aclj.org )
The fact is, prayer has been an integral part of this country since the beginning:
* The Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in 1775.
* In 1863, Abraham Lincoln called for such a day.
* In 1952, President Truman signed into law a joint resolution by Congress declaring an annual national Day of Prayer.
* President Reagan amended it in 1988 to designate the first Thursday of every May as the National Day of Prayer.
This year, the theme for the National Day of Prayer is "America United Under God." And organizers are hoping Americans will ponder this biblical verse from the Book of Psalms during this year's observance:
"GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE."
As President Bush said at the National Prayer Breakfast not long ago, "Tremendous challenges await this nation, and there will be hardships ahead. Faith will not make our path easy, but it will give us strength for the journey."
All Americans should welcome the National Day of Prayer. It is more than just an occasion to celebrate the religious freedom you and I work so hard to defend - it is a POWERFUL OPPORTUNITY to join with believers across the country in prayer!
I encourage you to participate in a National Day of Prayer event in your community. Thank you for your partnership in defending the Constitution ... and MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Amen to that. Midland is holding a prayer, praise music, activity which I will attend. How great to not only pray with others next to you, but to know millions are praying across the country on that day and God is listening to us.