By an act of congress during the administration of President Harry Truman, a National Day of Prayer was called during May of each year. Later during the Reagan administration Congress chose the first Thursday in May to be the National Day of Prayer.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government arguing that the Day of Prayer is a violation of separation of Church and State, in other words, unconstitutional.

A Federal Court Judge in Wisconsin on Thursday April 15, 2009 issued a ruling in favor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, agreeing that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.

Knowing that this issue will have to make its way through the courts, perhaps even to the U.S. Supreme Court, the judge also ruled that nothing would change until the issue is finally settled. In other words, no change in the National Day of Prayer scheduled for May 6, 2010.

Groups that are opposed to the National Day of Prayer have begun a publicity campaign and contacting cities where events are planned for May 6 and telling them that they have to be cancelled.

That is not true and the events intended for this May 6 are not affected by the ruling.  

updated 04/17/10