Holmquist addresses National Day of Prayer observance at Capitol

May 7, 2009

OLYMPIA… Today Sen. Janéa Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, addressed the 58^th annual National Day of Prayer observance at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. Holmquist offered a prayer for local, state and federal government, particularly praying for all those in authority, their families and asking God to grant them “wisdom, discernment, understanding and knowledge.” 

“As a nation, we are so blessed to have the ability to worship and pray according to the dictates of our conscience,” said Holmquist. “The National Day of Prayer is testament to that blessing of liberty.”  

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued throughout our history, including President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Harry Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Ronald Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May.  

“I am honored to be a part of this important American tradition,” Holmquist said. 

Holmquist left shortly thereafter to travel back to the 13th Legislative District in time for the National Day of Prayer event in Moses Lake. 

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For more information contact Booker Stallworth
at (360) 786-7536 or stallworth.booker@leg.wa.gov.