Wall Builders founder and president David Barton records that fifteen times in our nation's history has a day of humiliation and prayer been proclaimed, six times by U.S. Presidents, ten times by state governors, and once by a Colony Council. The last of these proclamations was issued in 1863, over 150 years ago. To provide some refreshing perspective, I want to quote some of those proclamations:
Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the supreme authority and just government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men and nations, has, by a resolution, requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation; and whereas, it is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions, in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truths announced in the Holy Scriptures, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord; and, inasmuch as we know that, by his divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people? (Lincoln, Seward)
In this the hour of our calamity and peril, to whom shall we resort for relief but to the God of our fathers? His omnipotent arm only can save us from the awful effects of our own crimes and follies--our own ingratitude and guilt towards our Heavenly Father. (USA)
The two houses of the National Legislature having, by a joint resolution, expressed their desire, that in the present time of public calamity and war, a day be recommended to be observed by the people of the United States as a Day of Public Humiliation and Fasting and of Prayer to Almighty God, for the safety and welfare of these States, His blessing on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace. (Madison, Monroe)
I do therefore recommend the third Thursday in August next, as a convenient day to be set apart for the devout purposes of rendering to the Sovereign of the Universe and the Benefactor of mankind, the public homage due to his holy attributes; of acknowledging the transgressions which might justly provoke the manifestations of His divine displeasures; of seeking His merciful forgiveness, His assistance in the great duties of repentance and amendment; and especially of offering fervent supplications, that in the present season of calamity and war, He would take the American people under his peculiar care and protection; that he would guide their public councils...(Madison)
These proclamations are reminiscent of Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9, where he confessed his own sin and the sin of his people. Do you pray these prayers for your country, for your family, for yourself?
Barton, David. "Fasting Proclamations." WallBuilders.com. Wall Builders, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2016. <http://wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?cat>.
Lincoln, Abraham, and William H. Seward. "A Proclamation by the President of the United States." The Liberator 24 Apr. 1863, No. 17 ed.: n. pag. Print.
Madison, James. "A Proclamation." The Yankee [Ruston, MA] 25 Nov. 1814, Vol. 3, No. 48 ed.: n. pag. Print.
Madison, James, and James Monroe, Secretary of State. "A Proclamation." Independent Chronicle [Boston] 20 July 1812, Volume 44 ed.: n. pag. Print.
USA. Presidency. A Proclamation for a Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer. To the People of the United States. A Proclamation. By James Buchanan. Washington D.C.: n.p., 1860. Print.