Dear Editor,

More than 50 years after it was made official by a joint resolution of Congress, the National Day of Prayer is being threatened by a national group of liberals.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit saying the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and creates a “hostile environment for nonbelievers.” The Alliance Defense Fund will defend the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

The lawsuit will not keep us from responding to our call to ask Americans to intercede in prayer for our nation’s leaders and their families. As chairman of the NDP Task Force in Mason County, we will continue to pray without fear of retribution.

The National Day of Prayer falls on the first Thursday of May — May 7 this year. Millions gather across the nation in stadiums, schools, town halls, state capitols, nursing homes and prisons. Each year the Mason County prayer observance is on the courthouse steps. The National Day of Prayer is one more reminder to the enemy that we are not willing to give up our nation.

Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) faces an uphill battle. People of faith throughout America will not give up this freedom to pray. The National Day of Prayer is something that has been done for years. The Supreme Court has said that prayers don’t violate the Constitution.

The local Prayerforce will be asking Christians to sign a petition encouraging President Barack Obama to support NDP by issuing a presidential proclamation — something every president since 1952 has done. The petition reads: “Dear President Obama and the Department of Justice: I’m writing to encourage you to support the annual National Day of Prayer and its observance in the nation’s capital on the first Thursday each May. Appeals to the Almighty on our nation’s behalf have proven indispensable throughout the history of this great nation. The National Day of Prayer truly brings people of all faiths and backgrounds together in a day of unity. Please continue this great American tradition with annual proclamations calling upon all Americans to pray. Thank you. May God guide you in your decision making, and may God guide and protect America.”

For more information, contact me at 2875 Chestnut Ridge Road, Mount Alto, WV 25264, for a copy of the petition or visit the Web site for the National Day of Prayer.

Sincerely,

Alice Click,

Mount Alto