National Day of Prayer, 1994

[[Page Unknown]]

_______________________________________________________________________

Part V

The President

_______________________________________________________________________

Proclamation 6668--
National Day of Prayer, 1994

Proclamation 6669--251st Anniversary of the Birth of Thomas Jefferson

Federal Register
Vol. 59, No. 73
Friday, April 15, 1994

____________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President
Proclamation 6668 of April 12, 1994

National Day of Prayer, 1994

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In a country built by people from hundreds of nations
and with as many beliefs, we rely upon our religious
liberty in order to preserve the individuality and
great diversity that give our Nation its unique
richness and strength of character. America's founders
saw the urgent need to protect religious freedom and
opened debate on the important subject when the
Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia to chart
a course for our nascent country. After hearing
Massachusetts delegate Samuel Adams' plea, the Congress
voted to begin its session with a prayer. When the
framers of the Bill of Rights set down our fundamental
rights, the free exercise of religion rightfully took
its place at the head of our enumerated liberties.

As our Nation has grown and flourished, our Government
has welcomed divine guidance in its work, while
respecting the rich and varied faiths of all of its
citizens. Many of our greatest leaders have asked God's
favor in public and private prayer. From patriots and
presidents to advocates for justice, our history
reflects the strong presence of prayer in American
life. Presidents, above all, need the power of prayer,
their own and that of all Americans.

We need not shrink as Americans from asking for divine
assistance in our continuing efforts to relieve human
suffering at home and abroad, to reduce hatred,
violence, and abuse, and to restore families across our
land. By following our own beliefs while respecting the
convictions of others, we can strengthen our people and
rebuild our Nation. As Micah reminds us, we must strive
``to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly''
before God.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved April 17,
1952, having recognized the role of faith and prayer in
the lives of the American people throughout our
history, has set aside a day each year as a ``National
Day of Prayer.'' Since that time, each President has
proclaimed an annual National Day of Prayer, resuming
the tradition begun by our leaders in the Nation's
earliest days. Pursuant to Public Law 100-307 of May 5,
1988, the first Thursday of each May has been set aside
as a National Day of Prayer.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 5,
1994, as a National Day of Prayer. I encourage the
citizens of this great Nation to gather, each in his or
her own manner, to recognize our blessings, acknowledge
our wrongs, to remember the needy, to seek guidance for
our challenging future, and to give thanks for the
abundance we have enjoyed throughout our history.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-four, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and
eighteenth.

(Presidential Sig.)>