ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 8974ProclamationObama · DCeremonial

Proclamation 8974

National Day of Prayer, 2013

President Obama issued an annual proclamation designating May 2, 2013 as the National Day of Prayer, as required by Public Law 100-307. The proclamation encourages Americans to pray for victims of recent tragedies including the Boston Marathon bombings, Newtown shootings, and West Texas explosion, as well as for first responders and military personnel.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 26483

Impact dates

  1. National Day of Prayer observance

Key directives

  • Proclaim May 2, 2013 as National Day of Prayer

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation of May 2, 2013 as National Day of Prayer

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Annual continuation of National Day of Prayer tradition on first Thursday in May

Risks & tensions

  • References to specific recent tragedies may carry brief political resonance but no policy tension
  • Vague phrasing 'work to meet the great challenges of our time' has no operative effect
Proclamation 8974: National Day of Prayer, 2013 · Executive Orders