GOSHEN COUNTY – Many Goshen County residents, including the students of Valley Christian School, participated in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1. 

“In 1775, the first National Day of Prayer was proclaimed by the Second Continental Congress,” Becky Doby, event orchestrator explained.

During the March 16, 1776, Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, a proclamation calling for a day of fasting and prayer was issued. This proclamation called on Americans to “with united hearts, confess … our manifold sins and … by a sincere repentance … appease his righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain his pardon and forgiveness.”

“Throughout the years, there have been other National Days of Prayer,” Becky Doby, event orchestrator explained. “The first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer was signed into law by President Truman in 1952, and it has been observed here in Goshen County since 2015.”

The historical event, which began in 1952, was initiated by Conrad Hilton and Kansas Senator Frank Carlson. The bill stated simply the United States President shall set aside and proclaim a suitable day where the people of the United States can turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups or as individuals. 

“[In 1974], the National Prayer Committee (NPC) begins as a subcommittee on prayer at the International Congress on World Evangelization held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974. Out of the Lausanne gathering came the U.S. Lausanne Committee, now Mission America, and America’s National Prayer Committee. Mrs. Vonette Bright was appointed to the Prayer Advisory Group,” the National Day of Prayer Task Force explained. 

In 1976, the Prayer Advisory Group selected its first members and in 1979, the National Prayer Committee officially formed. 

“[In 1983,] the first National Day of Prayer observance, organized by the NPC, takes place at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. with featured speakers Vice President George Bush and Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie,” the task force explained. “[In 1986,] Vonette Bright and the NPC contact Senator Strom Thurmond (R) for guidance on writing a bill that would designate a day for the National Day of Prayer.”

“[In 1987,] Senator Thurmond wrote the bill then introduces it to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It became bill S.1378, which would amend public law 82-324. While Senator Thurmond works the bill through the Senate, Congressman Tony Hall champions the bill through the House of Representatives, often fielding calls from Vonette Bright on the status of the bill moving through committee,” the task force explained. “Prior to 1987, Bill and Vonette Bright led Congressman Hall to the Lord and even arranged for a spiritual mentor to come into his office, pray with him, and answer questions.”

In total, 90 congressmen and 13 senators signed the document, giving their endorsement. In 1988, the bill passed the senate and on April 25, it was sent to the house of representatives. On May 2, the bill passed in the house and on the 3rd, it was signed in the senate. On May 4, 1988, the senate presented the legislation to President Ronald Regan. Regan signed public law 100-307, which designated the first Thursday of the month of May as the annual observance for the National Day of Prayer. President Bill Clinton signed the law in 1998. 

Throughout the years, the National Day of Prayer has gained support and participants, including those in Goshen County.

“This is a time when Americans throughout the country gather to acknowledge God’s hand in every facet of our lives.  It is a non-denominational, non-political gathering where we seek God’s blessings in matters of family, church, government and more,” Doby explained. “This year students from Valley Christian School participated, sharing Scripture as well as prayers which they wrote. The head count of attendees was 93, plus an additional 48 from Valley Christian School.”