U.S. Governors Back Day of Prayer Except N.Y.
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has refused to sign a proclamation that supports this year's National Day of Prayer, making him the only state head in the country not to have signed on.
The National Day of Prayer, which has been held annually for the past 56 years since President Truman signed into law a bill proclaiming the day, will take place this Thursday and encourages Americans to collaboratively pray for the nation, regardless of religious backgrounds.
"We want to make you aware of a slap in the face the governor of New York has delivered to people of faith all across the country," voiced Citizenlink, a publication sponsored by Focus on the Family. "How arrogant that the governor of New York, which was the target of the vicious and unprovoked attacks on 9/11, does not believe the people of his state need divine guidance and protection."
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Since 1952, the National Day of Prayer has been held each year on the first Thursday of May. A task force, which is run out of Focus on the Family's headquarters, is in charge of coordinating events, and was made to get more citizens united in prayer.
Although everyone is invited to join in the occasion, the day does not force prayer, but asks that people come together to pray in their own way for the nation's leadership.
According to the task force's official policy statement, "[The] diversity [of Americans] is what Congress intended when it designated the Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for this nation would be encouraged to do so in any way deemed appropriate."
The day has five main topics that the task force focuses on which it considers the "five centers of power" - church, education, family, government and media.
Some faith-based organizations have encouraged Christians to call the New York office to show their concern for Spitzer not signing the National Day of Prayer proclamation.
"Won't you take a minute or two – no matter what state you live in – to let Gov. Spitzer know what you think about his refusal to acknowledge the National Day of Prayer?" expressed Citizenlink. "Remind him that this country was founded as a Christian nation – and he will insult and offend millions if he continues down the path he is on."
Several people in the Christian community have been expressing frustration with New York's governor lately, especially after promising last Monday to propose a bill that would legalize same-sex "marriages" in the state.
Spitzer admitted that the bill had no "realistic shot" of being passed, but he still wanted to show his support for the homosexual agenda.
The New York governor was also criticized 5 years ago by pro-life groups for harassing 24 non-profit crisis pregnancy centers that sought to dissuade women from having abortions on behalf of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
