When was the national day of prayer first started?  Who else is praying today?
547552
Thanks for your supportive statement, I get weary of hearing so many ppl say how this country was not found on Christianity, and that isn't why we have been so blessed.  It is such an honor to live here, we are afforded so many blessings on a daily basis that no other single country has!! \n\nMy prayer today is that we as a country can go back to our roots, to be united, to support our constitution and our leaders, those in authority over us.  That we will see the blessings as blessings, the fruit our forefathers produced by trying to lead us righteously, instead of always filling their own political agenda, the fruits are still plentiful!!\nI pray that there will be a huge revival, ppl turning their faces back to the Almighty, that they see and feel His Spirit, and know that He is God.  Yours in Jesus.
291597
Not so brief, but it sums it up I think. =-)\n\nEngel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962) was a landmark United States Supreme Court case that determined that it is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and require its recitation in public schools, even when it is relatively non-denominational and students may excuse themselves from participation. This was decided in a vote of 6-1, with Justices Frankfurter and White unable to vote.\n\nThe case was brought by the parents of students who complained the prayer to "Almighty God" contradicted their religious beliefs and was supported by groups opposed to the school prayer including Madalyn Murray O'Hair's American Atheists . The prayer in question was:\n\n    Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our country. Amen.\n\nThe plaintiffs argued that opening the school day with such a prayer (even if students are not required to recite it) violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution (as applied to the states through the Fourteenth), which says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." The governments of twenty-two states1 signed on to an amicus curiae brief urging affirmance of the New York Court of Appeals decision that upheld the constitutionality of the prayer. The American Ethical Union, the American Jewish Committee, and the Synagogue Council of America each submitted briefs urging the Court to instead reverse and rule that the prayer was unconstitutional.\n\nJustice Hugo Black, writing for the majority, pointed out that the prayer is a religious activity by the very nature of its being a prayer. The majority further ruled that prescribing such a religious activity for school children is inconsistent with the Establishment Clause. That is, the program was created by government officials to promote a religious belief and therefore not permissible.\n\nIn response to the defendant's claims that: (a) the prayer does not respect any specific established religion; and (b) the prayer is voluntary, Black's opinion held that neither of these claims frees it from contradicting the Establishment Clause. The opinion held that the fact that it promotes a religion is sufficient to conclude it is in violation, even if that promotion is not coercive. Furthermore, the opinion held that the fact that the prayer is vaguely worded enough to not promote any particular religion is not a sufficient defense, as it does still promote a family of religions (those that recognize "Almighty God"), which is also a violation of the Establishment Clause.
124005
What about it? Who cares what happened in schools 40 years ago. God gives us a chance to live another day: TODAY,NOT YESTERDAY. Don't spend your life being stuck in a time warp. LIVE FOR TODAY!.
270282
They don't think it's important enough to pray daily.  Otherwise they would.  It's just one of those conflict things with a little lack of faith.  It's sad, but true.\n\nRemember though:  prayer is not the - or a - solution.  It's a plea that may go unanswered depending on what God thinks is best.
922488
I pray not every day.... Our troops are risking theit lives every day trying to prevent it from happening..   \n\n THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
180458
It depends on what you mean by pray.I keep talking to God throught the day like hes my friend which he is.I do read the Bible everyday.
541657
Where were you when government class taught the seperation of church and state?  I am so tired of hearing about not praying in school.  No one I know ever did except the small country schools years ago.  The founding fathers didn't want one religion to run things so it had no place in government!\nIf there was to be prayer in school, it would take forever: Christian prayer, Buddhist, Wiccan invocation, Hindu, Jewish, etc.  There can never be just one!\nI don't know how you can say God has been kicked out.  Come to Northern California, Texas, Utah, etc.  There are churches on every corner where I live.
743752
The previous answers are either, vague or incorrect. The bottom line on current judicial thinking is as follows:\n\nPer the "Establishment Clause," it is unlawful for schools to initiate any form of prayer in schools or at school events, such as graduations or sporting events, etc.\n\nPer the "Free Exercise Clause," students are free to pray at school, and organize non-faculty-led prayer or Bible study groups. They may even request the use of school facilities for these meetings, as the Supreme Court has ruled that these groups have as legitimate a claim as any other student organization like Junior Achievement or the Chess Club.\n\nI hope this helps
1177426
Yes, I think it's a big deal, and I am NOT offended to find those words on our coins.  It is one of the very few places that God is still honored in our country.  Should we invalidate the Declaration of Independence, or the Bill of Rights, because they make reference to God?  No!  This country was founded in Christianity, and although I do firmly believe in freedom from religious persecution, I think we've gone way too far on the other side... it is now the Christians who are persecuted, our prayers are not allowed, the very basic principals that this country was founded on are litigated, and all by people claiming to be offended by it... well, you know what?  In many other countries, being the "wrong" religion can get you jailed and executed.  We allow you the God-given right to disagree, but what right do you have to change  who we are?!?!  This country was founded on Christian principals, and you have the right to live here and not be a Christian (although I pray for those lost souls), but that does not mean that you have the right to interfere with my rights, either.  Keep God in all that we do, to honor our forefathers, and honor our FATHER.
197866
April 14th is Good Friday.  I'm not sure if is a national holiday because it involves Easter and not everyone celebrates Easter.
1125023
I don't have an average.  We are instructed to pray without ceasing.  So whenever I need help, peace, or anything I will offer up a quick prayer wherever I'm at.  I pray before and after reading the Bible, when I wake up, before I go to sleep, before eating.  It is our way of communicating with God, why shouldn't we pray always.
1017917
Prayer should be and is allowed in public schools by the students.  They point were prayer is considered to be crossing the 1st Amendment line is were it is an officially endorsed function of the school.  Such as if the principal led the students in prayer every day.  However not allowing a student to pray in school is a blatant violation of both free speech and freedom of religion.
66191
Maybe everyone's form of prayer is different. I was brought up catholic and was taught a specific way to pray but I've long abandoned that and simply have a one on one with the man upstairs when I'm in a position to fully appreciate the beauty of the creation before me, like when I'm walking in the park and the sun is setting or when the waters of a lake are so still it seems like someone laid a giant mirror on the ground. I also write on my computer and confide to God all the things I would a very close friend. Prayer doesn't have to be on your knees with your hands folded. It can be as simple as a thought. Possibly even an action. I think many people have forgotten to seek God within ourselves rather than extrovertly.
275065
I, for one, shall pray - that the Good Lord shed His Light on the US President's path, for Bush is the United States' President, and our duly elected Leader, at least for now.\n...What is the harm in praying for our fellow human beings : especially, when they are themselves feeling down and out ?\nEven Jesus would have approved of it !
1141971
I read a book not too many years ago about the life of George Mueller.  One thing that struck me was that he kept a record of his prayers.  He would record the prayer request, then leave a space for the answer.  He would pray continually until he received an answer to that prayer.\n\nFour years ago, I began keeping a journal just like he did, and as I learned that the kinds of prayers God answered the most (or the best) were those for or about others and their needs.  Yes, even many of my selfish ones were answered.  Even now, I can point to a record that shows clearly what prayers have been answered, and those that still have gone unanswered.  I have 7 unanswered prayers right now, four of which are from years prior to 2006.  God has been so faithful in answering prayer.  The ones unanswered are all recent prayers, beginning in the month of May, not including those prior to 2006.\n\nIt has been a wonderful blessing to see my history of prayer with God, and even when He has answered "no," He has made up for any disappointment I've had by doing something different/better.
1033767
Don't know the answer, but I'll say a prayer for you.  Have a good day!\n- john
456747
Practicing the privilege of prayer yields abundant blessings.  Not only are we allowed to speak directly to the Creator of the universe through prayer, and often experience the excitement of seeing our prayers answered directly, but family devotions also prepare our children to raise praying families of their own.\n\nWhatever state you find your family in today, go pray about it together.\n\n"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12