Official Website: of the National Day of Prayer Committee

Presidential Proclamations

for using the National Day of Prayer Proclamation in the classroom.

Ask your principal if copies of the most recent National Day of Prayer proclamation may be made for the entire faculty and for students to take home.

With permission post a copy of the proclamation on the faculty bulletin board.

Read through the Proclamation with your class(es), discuss prayer as a tradition and as a day set aside by Congress.

Encourage classroom discussions regarding our presidents' attitutdes toward prayer. Some possible questions to ask:

How do we know that prayer has been an important part of our national history?

What are some reasons why our nation's leaders have encouraged people to pray?

Did all these presidents share the same religious beliefs?

How can Americans pray together when they believe differently?

How did the National Day of Prayer, passed unanimously by Congress on May 5, 1988 come into being?

Use as a study project for the entire class to explore the first observance of a Day of Prayer and compare several different proclamations by our President.

Discuss the new and difficult words in the Proclamation, making clear their meaning.

Have pupils write themes based on the National Day of Prayer observance or write their own proclamation.

A Nation Built On Prayer