Senator Lankford Speaks at National Day of Prayer Observance

WASHINGTON, DC — Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today served as co-host at the National Day of Prayer Observance with Representative Louie Gohmert (TX-01). Lankford read Daniel 9:1-23, this year’s verse and inspiration for the theme For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us… Forgive Us… Heal Us! The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan to designate the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

“On this day, Americans from across the nation gather in their homes, communities, businesses, and churches to pray,” said Lankford. “We should pray for the nation, our leaders, our families, and each other. Today is also a good day to reflect on our own lives, attitudes, and actions; we should not expect a change in others if we are not willing to allow the same change in ourselves.

“As we come together to pray for our country, we recognize the bedrock of the United States’ freedoms, the free exercise of religion—the right to practice your faith or have no faith at all.”

Lankford serves as co-chairman of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group of Members of Congress that works to ensure every American—of any faith or no faith—can enjoy their First Amendment right to the free exercise of their religion without fear of punishment from the government.  

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