2023 -- S 0969
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING AND RECOGNIZING MAY 4, 2023, AS "NATIONAL DAY OF
PRAYER" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Senators F. Lombardi, de la Cruz, Rogers, Lombardo, Tikoian, Ciccone,
DiPalma, and Picard
Date Introduced: May 04, 2023
Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration
WHEREAS, During times of strength and times of weakness, in moments of joy and 1
moments of despair, Americans of many different faiths and traditions have turned to prayer as a 2
means of seeking comfort, giving thanks, and asking for guidance and grace; and 3
WHEREAS, Prayer brings communities together and can be a source of inspiration and 4
courage. In the aftermath of senseless acts of violence and unnecessary suffering and death, the 5
prayers of countless Americans signal to grieving families and communities that they are not 6
alone. Their pain is a shared pain, and their hope is a shared hope. Regardless of religion or creed, 7
Americans of faith reflect on the sacredness of life and express their sympathy for the wounded 8
and the recovering, offering comfort and holding up a light in a time of darkness; and 9
WHEREAS, Today, Americans continue the tradition of our ancestors by acknowledging 10
the power of prayer in our lives and cherishing our right to pray freely; and 11
WHEREAS, The tradition of national supplication was made official in 1952, when 12
President Harry Truman signed a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress establishing a floating 13
annual national day of prayer. Finally, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan set the date for the 14
annual prayer day as the first Thursday in May; and 15
WHEREAS, The Christian Bible underscores the precious promise of faith in 2 16
Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and 17
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive 18
their sin and will heal their land"; and 19
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WHEREAS, The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "Pray Fervently in 1
Righteousness and Avail Much", an exhortation to apply the words of James 5:16B, which states 2
that "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"; now, therefore be it 3
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates and 4
recognizes May 4, 2023, as "National Day of Prayer" in Rhode Island; and be it further 5
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby encourages all Rhode Islanders to set aside a 6
particular moment on this day to participate in this meaningful spiritual event and to encourage 7
their friends and neighbors to observe this year's National Day of Prayer according to their own 8
faith or practice; and be it further 9
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 10
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Richard and Cheryl Russell, State Coordinators 11
of the National Day of Prayer. 12
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