Group sends governors National Day of Prayer letter

The Alliance Defense Fund has sent letters to governors across the country to encourage them to observe and participate in the 60th annual National Day of Prayer on May 5.

In a news release this week, defense fund leaders said the letter also encourages governors to resist the demands of activist groups that claim the tradition is unlawful. The release said millions of Americans participate in prayer day activities every year.

The Alliance Defense Fund describes itself as a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith.  

Remember last year, National Day of Prayer activities went on as planned in Oklahoma and around the country, despite a federal judge’s ruling which challenged the observance.

On April 15, 2010, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb, from Wisconsin’s Western District Court, ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. She wrote that the government cannot enact laws supporting a day of prayer, saying that government may not use its authority to influence an individual’s decision “whether and when to pray.”

At the time, the U.S. Justice Department vowed to appeal the ruling. I’ve heard no word about whether or not the ruling will keep people from participating in the designated prayer day this year.