National Day of Prayer:

The National Day of Prayer is an annual event, scheduled for the first Thursday in May. This year's date is May 7, 2009. From 2001-2008 during President George W. Bush's administration the National Day of Prayer Task Force was warmly received at the White House. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is headquartered at the conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family. Shirley Dobson is the leader of the Task Force. In years gone by Shirley Dobson and other prominent Christian leaders, throughout the country, could expect to receive an invitation to the White House on the National Day of Prayer. During their meeting with the president, prayers would be offered for the nation.

This year is different. Washington D.C is different. It is estimated that tens of thousands will participate in prayer across the United States during the National Day of Prayer, but Obama will not be an active participant. It appears the White House has formally turned a cold shoulder towards the event.

Although the Obama administration stated that they plan to issue a proclamation marking the National Day of Prayer, it will not be announced until May 7, 2009. The late announcement will water down the affect of the proclamation as it will be too late for groups to disseminate information contained to interested parties. The White House's spokesperson reintegrated that there is no plan nor will there be to hold a formal White House event.

Although Obama failed to give active support for National Day of Prayer, the National Day of Prayer Task Force asked that a representative of the Executive Branch attend the planned Washington D.C. event. The event, whose service is open to the public, is scheduled to be held at the Cannon House Office Building from 9 am - 12 noon. Thus far both the Legislative and Judicial Branches of government plan to be represented; however, the Executive Branch has yet to respond. Currently according to Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships stated that there is nothing on the President's schedule to indicate he plans on formally honoring the National Day of Prayer.

In response to the lack of interest Obama has shown in participating in the National Day of Prayer Shirley Dobson said, "We are disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama Administration. At this time in our country's history, we would hope our President would recognize more fully the importance of prayer."

Throughout the month of April, advocacy groups have been pressuring Obama to break with what they perceived to be the Christian aspect of the National Day of Prayer. The Interfaith Alliance and Jews on First requested Obama declare that the National Day of Prayer is for all faiths, not just for Christians. They wanted him to go so far as being inclusive of unbelievers too.

The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by an act of Congress and signed into law by Harry S Truman. Its intention was never to be an exclusive Christian event. It wasn't until 1983 that the event became aligned with a Judeo-Christian observance. The group, Jews on First, don't feel that other faiths including Judaism are adequately represented at the National Day of Prayer.

Sources:
http://www.jewsonfirst.org/hijacked_day.html
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/story/1353286.html
http://www.ndptf.org/about/index.cfm