Proclamation

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATION

From the earliest days of our Nation’s journey, America has been guided by the grace of Almighty God. Beginning with the opening prayer at the First Continental Congress in 1774, our faith has perpetually stood as the summit of our strength, the source of our unity, and the fount of our greatness. This National Day of Prayer, we thank God for His endless blessings ‑- and we ask Him to grant us fortitude, wisdom, and a renewed spirit of justice as we continue the work to save our country and restore our national promise.

Across every chapter of our grand American story — from General George Washington’s humble prayer at Valley Forge to Reverend Billy Graham’s legendary rallies in the heart of Manhattan to the somber National Prayer Service in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, our greatest leaders have always recognized the necessity of faith, prayer, and devotion to God. As President Washington famously stated in his seminal Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

For these reasons, my Administration is fighting to defend America’s longstanding legacy of prayer, faith, and trust in God. As President, I proudly established Task Forces to eradicate religious bias by combatting anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and additional forms of anti-religious bias. They are charged with the mandate to identify and eliminate all anti‑religious policies, practices, and conduct in executive departments and agencies. In addition, I established the White House Faith Office in order to strengthen our families and to protect our religious freedom. I will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty and protecting God in our public square.

Nine months ago on July 13, 2024, my faith took on new meaning. An assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of ending my life. In that instant, as Secret Service crowded around and knocked me to the ground, I felt what seemed to be the supernatural hand of God. I believe that God spared my life for a reason — to save our country and restore America to greatness. It serves as a sacred reminder of our Creator’s infinite goodness, guidance, and grace.

Through America’s victories and defeats, triumphs and setbacks, and periods of peace and times of war, the divine force of prayer has unfailingly sustained our people, our culture, and our beloved Nation. It was faith that guided our ancestors across turbulent waters to Plymouth Rock. It was faith that inspired our Founding Fathers to put in writing those immortal words, “All men are created equal.” It is faith that freed our Nation from the clutches of tyranny nearly 250 years ago, and it is faith that has rescued our freedom from forces of evil time and time again.