In every era of American history, devout men and women from every
nation have come to our shores seeking freedom to worship according
to their own conscience. Recognizing the sacredness of this fundamental
human right, our founders wisely guaranteed it in the First Amendment
to the Constitution.
Prayer has always been an integral part of American life. In every
city, town, and rural community across our country, people of every
religious denomination gather to worship according to their faith.
In churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques, Americans come together
to pray. We pray for the health and happiness of loved ones; for
inner peace and peace among nations; and for the wisdom and courage
to face the challenges of the new millenium. And always we raise
our voices and hearts in prayers of thanksgiving for the blessing
of freedom.
Just as Americans rely on prayer for strength and renewal in private
life, so do we turn to it at moments of great joy or crisis in
our public life as a Nation. Meeting in Philadelphia to make the
momentous decisions that would ultimately determine the nature
and form of American Government, the Continental Congress began
daily deliberations with a prayer for God's blessings and assistance.
In his first inaugural address, President George Washington also
prayed for guidance from the Almighty as he began the enormous
task of leading a new, untried democracy.
In this century, with America in the throes
of the Great Depression and a world teetering on the brink of
war, President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt concluded his first inaugural address with a fervent
prayer: "In this dedication of a Nation we humbly ask the
blessing of God. May He protect each and every one of us. May He
guide me in the days to come." And today, as we look ahead
to the promise of a new century, Americans continue to draw strength
from the bedrock of faith and religious freedom upon which our
democracy rests.
The congress by Public Law 100-307, has
called on our citizens to reaffirm the role of prayer in our
society and to honor the
religious diversity our freedom permits by recognizing annually
a "National Day of Prayer."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim May 7, 1998, as a National
Day of Prayer. I encourage citizens of this great Nation to pray,
each in his or her own manner, seeking strength from God to face
the problems of today, requesting guidance for the uncertainties
of tomorrow, and giving thanks for the rich blessings that our
country has enjoyed throughout our history.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth
day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-eight,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and twenty-second.