WHEREAS, the citizens of the State of Idaho are a diverse people, representing many nations and religious traditions; and

        WHEREAS, the history of our country is replete with leaders who voluntarily called upon their God with needs both great and small, such as:

        “It would be particularly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplication to that Almighty Being, Who rules over the universe, Who presides in the councils of the nations, and Whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States.” – George Washington, Inaugural Address, April 1789

        “We humbly and fervently implore the Almighty disposer of events – to maintain the Constitution and to bless our nation with tranquility, under Whose benign influence we may reach the summit of happiness and glory, to which we are destined by nature and by nature’s God.” – William Penn, 1799

        “Knowing that intercessory prayer is the mightiest weapon and the supreme call for all Christians today, I pleadingly ask our people everywhere to pray. Believing that prayer is our greatest contribution that our people can make in this critical hour, I humbly urge that we take time to pray – to really pray.” – Robert E. Lee, 1864

        “It is the duty of mankind on all suitable occasions to acknowledge their dependence on the Divine Being.” – Benjamin Franklin concerning a fast day, 1748

        “While the people are virtuous, they cannot be subdued, but when they lose their virtue, they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” Samuel Adams while signing the Declaration of Independence, 1776

        “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go.” – Abraham Lincoln concerning his belief in the power of prayer, Date Unknown

        WHEREAS, the motto of the National Day of Prayer and the State Day of Prayer is “Prayer...America's Hope” a reaffirmation for the biblical exhortation in Psalm 33:22 "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.";

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2009, to be

A DAY OF PRAYER

in Idaho, and I invite citizens to gather together on this day in their homes, churches, public meeting places, and various places of worship to pray in their own way for unity of the hearts of all mankind, and the return of strong moral character in the lives of the people of all nations, and peace and understanding throughout the world.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho in Boise on this 1^st day of May in the year of our Lord two-thousand and nine and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty third and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred nineteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE