The National Day of Prayer Petition: an update and a question

By: American Decency Staff

We received the following question yesterday regarding our National Day of Prayer Petition which many of you have already signed. https://secure4.afo.net/ada/petition.php Here is the question from a person who refers to himself as a culture warrior. Below his question is our response.=================================== Dear American Decency: I see that the National Day of Prayer petition your organization wants people to sign has at the bottom of the petition:  Please mail to:  The White House …  I just don't understand why you are asking organizers of this petition drive to mail it to the White House.  How is the White House going to hold itself accountable for something it does not want to engage in.  Is it not presumptuous of the ADA organization to believe President Obama is going to honor the will of the people (ie: signers of this petition concerning the NDOP) when we know full well he does not want to participate in the NDOP?   Isn't there some other organization we can send it to that will cause him to honor it? I like having petition drives at our church but I have trouble believing President Obama is going to take this petition seriously, no matter how many signatures we get for this cause. Sincerely, K.W. Culture Warrior PS: I suppose prayer is in order here and with faith all things are possible … even with President Obama! ADA's response: We have proceeded from the very beginning in faith.  It would be good for President Obama to respond rightly to our request.  Our country – we as a people – are in need of prayer and for prayer to be faithfully practiced and encouraged! Last year President Obama opted not to recognize the National Day of Prayer with a public event at the White House, but rather with a written proclamation. Fox News reported it this way last year on May 6: "… It's not a crisis of biblical proportions, but President Obama's plan to recognize the National Day of Prayer on Thursday with a paper proclamation, rather than a public event at the White House, is ruffling some religious feathers. "We are disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama administration," Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Committee, said in a statement. ‘At this time in our country's history, we would hope our president would recognize more fully the importance of prayer.’" … http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/05/06/obamas-decision-observe-national-day-prayer-privately-draws-public-criticism/ There is no guarantee but we encourage all who love the Lord Jesus Christ to read the petition, sign it and to pass it along to as many others as possible.  We have already sent one large batch of online petitions into President Obama. The Petition reads as follows: To: The President of the United States, Barack Obama We, the undersigned, do encourage, promote, and request the President’s public observance of May 6, 2010 as the National Day of Prayer. Even as we recognize the President’s governance over citizens of every religion and of no religion, we adduce the examples of the First Continental Congress, Abraham Lincoln, and many past administrations in support of the propriety and recognized necessity of a public “day of humiliation, fasting and prayer.â€Â In light of the events of the past year which encompass every area of every life, from national security to the economy, we anticipate that the president will be an example of gratitude for the sustenance of our nation and reliance on God for the continued protection and advancement of our society. As this past year has been of particular political interest to both sides of the aisle, a day of unity in prayer and meditation for the state of this country can provide a welcome harmony and recognition of the need for divine direction. Thank you for your time and attention to these comments. Lastly, God works best through weakness, not through “smash mouthâ€Â.  This petition was initiated by a 90 year old saint who felt compelled to get people to develop and circulate this petition. See  and listen to Anita’s testimony on the right panel of our web page: www.americandecency.org The petition can be signed at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/petition.php The time is running short.  We will be sending in all remaining names in the days ahead. The National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 6. ===================================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference: donate online at: http://www.americandecency.org/folder.php?f=donate American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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