President’s Day evolved from the observance of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays. The day was created from the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed into law in 1968. This act combined the two presidential birthdays into one observance created to fall on the third Monday of February each year.
The term “President’s Day” became popular due to retailers who jumped at the chance for sales. But more important than making a buck, this day on the calendar should be honored as a way to pay respects to those who have served in the highest office of the land.
Today, much debate surrounds America’s founding with accusations that we are not a Christian nation. While many policies in our government do not acknowledge God, our foundation shows us why we have been blessed since the Pilgrims stepped upon the shore of Plymouth Rock.
These prayers and quotes from Presidents are evidence that despite our troubles, sins, and tragedies, our roots continue to give us an anchor to hold on to.
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George Washington
With no political example to follow, our first national leader, George Washington, displayed humility and submission to the Lord. Recorded in his journal are prayers for each morning and evening. His dependence upon God delivered the colonies through the Revolutionary War, and his continued habit of daily prayer gave him the wisdom to lead the young United States into growth and freedom.
After his inauguration on April 30, 1789, the first president kissed the Bible and set the precedent for the closing statement of that oath with the words, “So help me God.”
This portion from his prayer journal displays Washington’s devotion to daily prayer.
And since Thou are a God of pure eyes, and will be sanctified in all who draw nearer to Thee, who dost not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in Thy courts, pardon I beseech Thee, my sins, remove them from Thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept me for the merits of Thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into Thy temple and compass Thine altar, my prayer may come before Thee as incense, and as I desire Thou wouldst hear me calling upon Thee in my prayers, so give me peace to hear the calling on me in Thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of my soul in the day of the Lord Jesus.
John Adams
The impending threat of war with France brought President John Adams to declare a day of fasting and prayer. This excerpt from that proclamation on March 23, 1798, reflects the dependence upon the Almighty for deliverance.
And as the United States of America are at present placed in a hazardous and afflictive situation by the unfriendly disposition, conduct, and demands of a foreign power, evinced by repeated refusals to receive our messengers of reconciliation and peace, by depredation on our commerce, and the infliction of injuries on very many of our fellow-citizens while engages in their lawful business on the seas—under these considerations it has appeared to me that the duty of imploring the mercy and benediction of Heaven on our country demands at this time a special attention from its inhabitants.
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Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln asked for forgiveness for the sins of the country in a proclamation signed on March 30, 1863. It would be two more years before the guns were silenced and the bloody battles ended, but Lincoln’s prayer was answered at the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. This great man’s legacy continues to inspire many with his wit and wisdom. In the middle of his own personal problems, Lincoln’s grit and determination stood strong to mend the ragged edges of a country torn apart by the Civil War.
These words call for a day of fasting and prayer during the worst time in American history.
All this being done in sincerity and truth, let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the divine teachings that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessings no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to its former happy condition of unity and peace.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
A few weeks following the attack on Pearl Harbor, our soldiers and sailors needed comfort more than ever. On January 25, 1942, President Roosevelt wrote a special message in copies of the New Testament that was distributed to the military.
The inscription said: As Commander-in-Chief, I take pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who serve in the armed forces of the United States.
The Normandy Invasion was planned for months before troops arrived at the coast of France. Pushing the Nazis off French soil would be a costly endeavor, but one that was needed to release the talons of oppression from that land. If the Allies failed, German forces would continue to push their way across more of Europe with their goal of worldwide domination.
President Roosevelt prayed this prayer at the beginning of D-Day.
Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to reserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy Kingdom.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
On June 23, 1952, President Eisenhower signed a proclamation thanking God and recognizing the anniversary of our independence.
Now therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Saturday, July 4, 1953—the one hundred and seventy-seventh anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in firm reliance on God's transcendent power—as a National Day of Penance and Prayer; and I request all of our people to turn to Him in humble supplication on that day, in their homes or in their respective places of worship. With contrite hearts, let us pray for God's help in solving the grave problems which confront us, and render thanks to Him for watching over our Nation throughout its history.
John F. Kennedy
President Kennedy made these statements to a group at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast in which he referred back to our founding heritage. A few months later, the country mourned for a fallen leader as an assassin’s bullet silenced his voice.
We cannot depend solely on our material wealth, on our military might, or on our intellectual skill or physical courage to see us safely through the seas that we must sail in the months and years to come.
Along with all of these we need faith. We need the faith with which our first settlers crossed the sea to carve out a state in the wilderness, a mission they said in the Pilgrims’ Compact, the Mayflower Compact, undertaken for the glory of God.
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Lyndon B. Johnson
The Vietnam War raged on for years, stealing the lives of our brave military members and causing a rift in the United States. President Johnson designated Memorial Day 1966 as a special day of prayer to bring peace to Asia and America.
I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance.
I also urge all of the people of this Nation to join me in prayer to the Almighty for the safety of our Nation's sons and daughters in Vietnam, for His blessing on those who have sacrificed their lives for this Nation in this and all other struggles, and for His aid in building a world where freedom and justice prevail, and where all men live in friendship, understanding, and peace.
Ronald Reagan
In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that prayer in the government-sponsored educational system violated the First Amendment of the Constitution. On May 18, 1982, President Reagan proposed an amendment to restore the right to pray in school.
I believe that it would be beneficial for our children to have an opportunity to begin each school day with a prayer. Since the law has been construed to prohibit this, I believe that the law should be changed.
The amendment he proposed stated: Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions.
Even though this amendment did not garner the necessary two-thirds vote of the Senate to pass, the fact that we had a sitting president who supported prayer in school displays his belief that biblical principles have an effect on the citizens of America.
HEAR FROM PRESIDENT REAGAN'S FORMER ASSISTANT:
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George W. Bush
On September 11, 2001, America endured another national tragedy when terrorists attacked New York City and the Pentagon. Had it not been for the brave actions of passengers on another plane, thousands more would have died.
President Bush addressed the nation on September 14, 2001.
On this national day of prayer and remembrance, we ask Almighty God to watch over our nation, and grant us patience and resolve in all that is to come. We pray that He will comfort and console those who now walk in sorrow. We thank Him for each life we now must mourn, and the promise of a life to come. As we have been assured, neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, can separate us from God’s love. May He bless the souls of the departed. May He comfort our own. And may He always guide our country.
Donald J. Trump
After a deadly virus spread across the world, costing thousands of lives, President Trump encouraged Americans with these words.
As one nation under God, we are greater than the hardships we face, and through prayers and acts of compassion and love, we will rise to this challenge and emerge stronger and more united than before.
God Commands Us to Pray for Our Leaders
No matter how good we think a leader is, we can’t put our faith in a man, but only in the Lord Almighty. He is our Savior and the one who bestows the abundant blessings upon us as we bow our knees in submission to Him.
Many tough decisions lay before the President of the United States each day. The best thing we can do to commemorate this day is to pray for our leaders.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV)
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Originally published Monday, 19 February 2024.