2023 -- S 0969

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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, Picard, Felag, and Sosnowski

     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

moments of despair, Americans of many different faiths and traditions have turned to prayer as a

means of seeking comfort, giving thanks, and asking for guidance and grace; and

     WHEREAS, Prayer brings communities together and can be a source of inspiration and

courage. In the aftermath of senseless acts of violence and unnecessary suffering and death, the

prayers of countless Americans signal to grieving families and communities that they are not

alone. Their pain is a shared pain, and their hope is a shared hope. Regardless of religion or creed,

Americans of faith reflect on the sacredness of life and express their sympathy for the wounded

and the recovering, offering comfort and holding up a light in a time of darkness; and

     WHEREAS, Today, Americans continue the tradition of our ancestors by acknowledging

the power of prayer in our lives and cherishing our right to pray freely; and

     WHEREAS, The tradition of national supplication was made official in 1952, when

President Harry Truman signed a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress establishing a floating

annual national day of prayer. Finally, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan set the date for the

annual prayer day as the first Thursday in May; and

     WHEREAS, The Christian Bible underscores the precious promise of faith in 2

Chronicles 7:14, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and

seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive

their sin and will heal their land"; and

     WHEREAS, The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "Pray Fervently in

Righteousness and Avail Much", an exhortation to apply the words of James 5:16B, which states

that "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby commemorates and

recognizes May 4, 2023, as "National Day of Prayer" in Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby encourages all Rhode Islanders to set aside a

particular moment on this day to participate in this meaningful spiritual event and to encourage

their friends and neighbors to observe this year's National Day of Prayer according to their own

faith or practice; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Richard and Cheryl Russell, State Coordinators

of the National Day of Prayer.

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