www.Inclusive Prayer Day.org

Dear Governor _____________

As [your title and affiliation or a as resident of your state] I am writing to express my concern about the National Day of Prayer and the limitations on who can participate in it.

When President Truman initiated a National Prayer Day in 1952, he clearly intended for it to embrace all Americans whatever their faith tradition. Now it appears that conservative Christian evangelicals, led by Shirley Dobson (wife of James Dobson) and their organization Focus on the Family, have taken over this event. Calling themselves the National Day of Prayer Task Force, they are excluding Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists and even mainline Christians from National Prayer Day events scheduled for May 1, 2008.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force requires volunteer coordinators to sign a pledge stating: "I commit that NDP activities I serve with will be conducted solely by Christians while those with differing beliefs are welcome to attend." The coordinators must also sign a statement of faith which includes the following language: "I believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of The Living God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only One by which I can obtain salvation and have an ongoing relationship with God." This clearly aligns a government-sponsored event with a particular Christian denomination, in violation of the basic provisions of the First Amendment to the Constitution, establishing the separation of church and state.

[If your governor has already issued a proclamation]
I understand that you have already issued a proclamation calling for a National Day of Prayer on May 1. I am writing to urge you to review it in the light of this discrimination and re-consider whether it expresses the inclusivity and respect for all religious traditions that truly reflect the best values in our nation. If it does not, would you consider rescinding it and issuing a new proclamation calling for an inclusive national day of prayer, embracing people of every faith tradition and inviting clergy of diverse faith traditions to participate?

[If your governor has NOT already issued a proclamation]
I understand that you have not yet issued a proclamation calling for a National Day of Prayer on May 1. When you do so, I urge you to make sure that your proclamation calls for an inclusive national day of prayer, one that embraces every faith tradition, encourages clergy from diverse faith traditions to participate and truly reflects the best values in our nation. If I can be of assistance with providing your staff with appropriate draft language, please feel free to call on me.

Sincerely yours,

"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute ... and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him."
John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1960.

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