IV 

108TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 153

Recognizing the public need for fasting and prayer in order to secure the 

blessings and protection of Providence for the people of the United 

States and our Armed Forces during the conflict in Iraq and under 

the threat of terrorism at home. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 20, 2003

Mr. AKIN (for himself, Mr. GOODE, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. JONES

of North Carolina, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. HAYES, Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS

of Virginia, Mr. BEAUPREZ, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. PITTS, Mr. RYUN of Kansas, 

Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. WELDON of Florida, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, 

Mr. GINGREY, Mr. TERRY, and Mr. SOUDER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform 

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the public need for fasting and prayer in order 

to secure the blessings and protection of Providence for 

the people of the United States and our Armed Forces 

during the conflict in Iraq and under the threat of terrorism at home.

Whereas the United States is currently engaged in a war on 

terrorism in response to the attacks of September 11, 

2001; 
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•HRES 153 IH 

Whereas the Armed Forces of the United States are currently 

engaged in a campaign to disarm the regime of Saddam 

Hussein and liberate the people of Iraq; 

Whereas, on June 1, 1774, the Virginia House of Burgesses 

called for a day of fasting and prayer as an expression 

of solidarity with the people of Boston who were under 

siege by the enemy; 

Whereas, on March 16, 1776, the Continental Congress, recognizing that the ‘‘Liberties of America are imminently 

endangered’’ and the need ‘‘to acknowledge the overruling Providence of God’’, called for a day of ‘‘Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer’’; 

Whereas, on June 28, 1787, during the debate of the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin, convinced of 

God’s intimate involvement in human affairs, implored 

the Congress to seek the assistance of Heaven in all its 

dealings; 

Whereas, on March 30, 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, 

Abraham Lincoln, at the bequest of the Senate, and himself recognizing the need of the Nation to humble itself 

before God in repentance for its national sins, proclaimed 

a day of fasting, prayer and humiliation; 

Whereas all of the various faiths of the people of the United 

States have recognized, in our religious traditions, the 

need for fasting and humble supplication before Providence; 

Whereas humility, fasting, and prayer in times of danger 

have long been rooted in our essential national convictions and have been a means of producing unity and solidarity among all the diverse people of this Nation as well 

as procuring the enduring grace and benevolence of God; 
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•HRES 153 IH 

Whereas, through prayer, fasting, and self-reflection, we may 

better recognize our own faults and shortcomings and 

submit to the wisdom and love of God in order that we 

may have guidance and strength in those daily actions 

and decisions we must take; and 

Whereas dangers and threats to our Nation persist and, in 

this time of peril, it is appropriate that the people of the 

United States, leaders and citizens alike, seek guidance, 

strength, and resolve through prayer and fasting: Now, 

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that the President should issue a proclama3 tion—

4 (1) designating a day for humility, prayer, and 

5 fasting for all people of the United States; and 

6 (2) calling on all people of the United States—

7 (A) to observe the day as a time of prayer 

8 and fasting; 

9 (B) to seek guidance from God to achieve 

10 a greater understanding of our own failings and 

11 to learn how we can do better in our everyday 

12 activities; and 

13 (C) to gain resolve in meeting the chal14 lenges that confront our Nation.

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