When Congress Asked America to Fast, Pray, and Give Thanks to God

162
2
1
0
2
7
31
Total205

1776 – 1784

Congress issues sixteen spiritual proclamations

From 1776 to 1784 (during the years of the American Revolution), the Congresses[1] of the United States issued sixteen separate spiritual proclamations, calling Americans to humble themselves, fast, pray, and give thanks to God. Few realize that during the American War of Independence, Congress issued spiritual proclamations to the thirteen states in which they asked citizens to seek the Lord in one of the darkest moments of the nation's history. Having been told for decades that America was birthed by deists, few Americans today can imagine that at one time Congress asked pastors to read their proclamations from their pulpits. In addition, Congress also asked that citizens cease their labor and gather into churches to observe the spiritual proclamations they issued. Citizens who truly wish to know what America's Founding Fathers were like must read the spiritual proclamations of Congress for themselves.

Because the sixteen spiritual proclamations issued by Congress during the American Revolution often combined elements of humiliation, fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving to God, only the dominant theme is listed beside the respective proclamations below. Under the influence of colonial leaders from the Northeast, the spiritual proclamations issued by Congress roughly matches the cycle observed by the New England Colonies, which included prayer and fasting proclamations in the spring with thanksgiving proclamations being issued in the fall. It is significant to observe that the spiritual climate of congressional delegates was initially set by the First Continental Congress when it began with prayer in September 1774.

Proclamation #1 – June 7, 1775: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #2 – March 16, 1776: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #3 – December 1776: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #4 – November 1777: Thanksgiving

Proclamation #5 – March 1778: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #6 – November 1778: Thanksgiving

Proclamation #7 – March 1779: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #8 – October 1779: Thanksgiving

Proclamation #9 – March 1780: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #10 – October 1780: Thanksgiving

Proclamation #11 – March 1781: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #12 – October 1781: Thanksgiving—British Surrender

Proclamation #13 – March 1782: Prayer and Fasting

Proclamation #14 – October 1782: Thanksgiving

Proclamation #15 – October 1783: Thanksgiving

Proclamation #16 – August 1784: Thanksgiving

[1] The "Congresses" of the United States during the time period from 1776 to 1784 include the Second Continental Congress and the Congress under the Articles of Confederation.

Series Articles

When Congress Asked America to Fast, Pray, and Give Thanks

On June 12, 1775, the Continental Congress issued one of its first fast day proclamations when John Hancock of Massachusetts was president of Congress. Hancock, one of the wealthiest Americans of his day, was the son and grandson of Christian ministers and was personally a deeply committed Christian. But this proclamation issued by the Continental Congress over the next decade was only one of the proclamations asking states to fast, pray, and give thanks to God. Congress Asked America to Fast Sixteen such proclamations were issued by Congress from 1775 to 1784, asking states to observe these Christian practices that God's favor might be secured in America's bid for freedom. The sixteen proclamations discussed in our book are a small portion of the thousands of pieces of evide Read more...

The First Prayer in Congress

All four of America's organic laws were composed by the Continental[1] and Confederation[2] Congresses, which preceded the United States Congress under the Constitution. An organic law is a law that cannot be subverted or overruled by any other law. America's four organic laws are the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), the Articles of Confederation (November 15, 1777), the Northwest Ordinance (July 13, 1787), and the Constitution (September 17, 1787). first prayer congress What is important to realize is that the Continental and Confederation Congresses composed these four organic laws—the most authoritative laws in America, and these laws remain binding on America. At the same time as the Continental and Confederation Conferences were constructing these laws, they also w Read more...

June 12, 1775: First Congressional Fasting and Prayer Proclamation

Before adjourning the First Continental Congress on October 26, 1774, representatives stipulated that if the grievances that existed between the Thirteen American Colonies and Great Britain were not settled, a Second Continental Congress should be convened "on the tenth day of May next."[1] Contrary to their hopes and prayers, hostilities only increased between the two parties. Less than a month earlier, on April 19, 1775, the first military engagements of the American Revolution were waged at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. As proposed, the Second Continental Congress convened on May 10, 1775—with only twelve of the Thirteen Colonies sending representatives.First Congressional Prayer and Fasting Proclamation Article ContentsFirst Congre Read more...

March 16, 1776: Second Congressional Fasting Proclamation

The Christian influence upon the formation of the Thirteen English colonies prior to the American Revolution, may be seen everywhere in the historical records of each colony. During and following the Revolution, America's Founding Fathers continued to influence the politics of their states and nation with their Christian faith. One of the clearest evidences of this fact is seen in the Christian spiritual proclamations Congress issued from June 1775 to August 1784—sixteen proclamations in all.Second Congressional Fasting Proclamation These sixteen proclamations may be divided into two classifications. The first classification of proclamations issued by Congress included prayer and fasting proclamations. The second may be designated as thanksgiving. Of the sixteen spiritual proclam Read more...

December 11, 1776: Third Congressional Day of Fasting

By the time John Hancock presided over the third spiritual proclamation of Congress, he had signed the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), severing the political ties of the Thirteen American Colonies with Great Britain. Becoming engaged in the political life of Boston, Hancock came under the influence of Samuel Adams, Father of the American Revolution. Beginning his political rise in the mid-1760s in Boston, Hancock not only served as President of Congress, but also as the first and third Governor of Massachusetts following the reorganization under the state constitution after Congress declared independence. It should also be noted that John Hancock also issued prayer proclamations as Governor of Massachusetts.[1] His first term as president of Congress extended from May Read more...

November 1, 1777: Congress Begins Thanksgiving Cycle

The degree to which Christianity influenced the birth and development of the nation is seldom understood by contemporary Americans. According to many current historians, Founding Fathers rejected the influence and observance of Christianity in American political life. But, nothing could be further from the truth. While eight of America's first thirteen states had established state churches, all of the states from the colonial charters to their first constitutions contained affirmations of the Christian faith. The evolving federal government—including the Constitution—never intended to dictate to states whether they could retain their own state churches; for this reason, the Constitution ensured that the federal government would not establish a federal state church—somethin Read more...

March 7, 1778: Fourth Congressional Fasting Proclamation

That the Founding Fathers in the Continental and Confederation Congresses issued sixteen proclamations calling the Thirteen States of America to fast, pray, and give thanks to God is a little-known fact to most Americans in the twenty-first century. Determined to rob America of its Christian origin, secularists, atheists, and the irreligious have widely sown misinformation, deceiving those who readily believe whatever they are told.Fourth Congressional Fasting Proclamation Henry Laurens But, the historical facts and records of Congress readily speak the truth to those who are willing to lend an ear. The Second Continental Congress had fled from Philadelphia for fear of attack from the British after the American loss of the Battle of Bradywine (September 11, 1777). After conve Read more...

November 16, 1778: Congressional Chaplains Provide Thanksgiving Proclamation

Throughout the American War of Independence, Congress issued sixteen spiritual proclamations to the states. Generally, these proclamations requested each state to set aside a specific day for fasting, praying, giving thanks to God, or a combination of these spiritual disciplines. Though the practice of issuing such proclamations was begun the same year the Second Continental Congress convened (1775), it was not until November 1, 1777 that the first "thanksgiving" proclamation was issued. The most common practice of Congress was to select a small number of representatives from within itself to compose fasting and prayer proclamations in the spring of each year, and thanksgiving proclamations in the fall. But, for its second thanksgiving proclamation in November 1778, Congress br Read more...

March 20, 1779: Fifth Congressional Fasting Proclamation

Because America has forgotten the truth concerning her Christian heritage, secularists and the irreligious have successfully deceived the nation, resulting in cultural and moral decline. However, Christian Heritage Fellowship provides the historical evidence to demonstrate that America's Christian founding has been the source of her rise to global prominence. In our series, "When Congress Asked America to Fast, Pray, and Give Thanks to God," we provide the primary evidence that America's Founding Fathers were overwhelmingly and deeply committed Christians who practiced their faith in government and asked their states and nation to follow their example. The following article relates only one of the sixteen spiritual proclamations of Congress issued during the War of Independence t Read more...

October 20, 1779: Congress Proclaims Thanksgiving Day

Most Americans are unaware of the rich Christian origin of their nation that is contained in original documents. One of the ways America's Founding Fathers expressed their Christian faith was through a series of sixteen spiritual proclamations issued by Congress over a period of nearly a decade. Congress developed a pattern of issuing humiliation, fasting, and prayer proclamations in the spring, and in the fall, it issued thanksgiving proclamations from 1775 to 1784. The original proclamation of Congress for October 20, 1779 had been presented below, accompanied by brief anecdotes to illuminate the historical setting. What candid reader of this and other original documents of America's Founding Fathers can believe that they intended to dismiss the influence of Christianity from t Read more...

March 11, 1780: Sixth Congressional Fasting Proclamation

During the American Revolution, Congress issued sixteen spiritual proclamations calling upon the Thirteen States to fast, pray, and give thanks to God. Congress usually designated a day when the proclamations were to be observed. So seriously did Congress take these Christian spiritual practices that it asked "that servile labour and recreations be forbidden on the said day."Sixth Congressional Fasting Proclamation Soon after the Second Continental Congress convened in May 1775, it began to observe the Christian disciplines of fasting, praying, and giving thanks to God according to the pattern already established in a number of the states. In the spring, it was common for some states to ask their citizens to fast and pray, and in the fall, thanksgiving proclamations were issued. Fo Read more...

October 18, 1780: Congress Offers Thanksgiving for Divine Providence

At the end of 1780, the endurance of American revolutionary forces had been severely tested by British military might. So dire was the situation that General George Washington pled for assistance from the Continental Congress. Undaunted by the looming prospect of defeat, Congress—following a pattern of fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving—once again called upon the states to establish a day of thanksgiving to be observed by their citizens. That year Congress asked the states to recognize December 7, 1780 as a day of thanksgiving for God's providential care.Congress Offers Thanksgiving for Divine Providence Article Contents President of Congress—Son-in-Law of Pastor Historical Setting Committee Composes Proclamation Related Articles Anchor Elements Read more...

March 20, 1781: Seventh Congressional Fasting Proclamation

There is no historical evidence to support the myth that America's Founding Fathers were Deists or irreligious. Rather, just the opposite is true. Not only is the historical record replete with the Christian character of the English colonies that gave birth to America, but from the beginning of America as an independent nation following the War of Independence, all historical evidence points to the fact that the Founding Fathers accorded a place of influence to the principles of Christianity, though no single denomination was granted the right to dominate the life of government at the national level. The influence of Christianity upon American government during both the colonial era and the rise of America as an independent nation was affirmed by Congress many years ago.seventh Congre Read more...

October 26, 1781 – Congress Thanks God for British Surrender

America's Christian heritage is interwoven with the birth and development of the nation. But, since the early part of the twentieth century, groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have done everything within their power to deny Christianity's influence upon the nation. These groups have covered-up the historical facts that clearly relate the influence America's Founding Fathers accorded Christianity in the birth and development of the nation. However, the Journals of the Continental Congress record the influence Founders gave to the Christian faith. From 1775 to 1784, Congress issued sixteen spiritual proclamations calling upon the thirteen states to humble themselves, fast, pray, and give thanks to God. One of the most important of these proclamations was issue Read more...

March 19, 1782: Eighth Congressional Fasting Proclamation

Far from pushing Christianity and religious observance from the life of government, the Continental Congress (and subsequent Confederation Congress) endorsed and encouraged Christian observances such as fasting, prayer, and thanksgiving. No single denomination or church was permitted to dominate at the congressional or national level, though most states endorsed established churches. This practice of allowing states to have their own state churches, but not a national church, continued under the Constitution.Eighth Congressional Fasting Proclamation A large part of contemporary legal studies—also known as "jurisprudence"—rejects the role America's Founding Fathers accorded to Christianity in public life. In doing so, judges and lawyers have abandoned the historic legal foundati Read more...

October 11, 1782: Fourteenth Congressional Fasting Proclamation

In 1776, America's Continental Congress began to issue two spiritual proclamations a year until near the end of the War of Independence. Since November 1777 when Henry Laurens was President, Congress had issued a fall thanksgiving proclamation calling the states to remember their spiritual "duty" to offer praise for the divine grace shown to the nation. The type of personal sacrifice that many of America's Founding Fathers endured at the hands of their British enemies is exemplified in the life of this president of Congress—Henry Laurens. Discussion of this spiritual proclamation of Congress provides an opportunity to briefly unfold his enormous personal loss with regard to his son, Lieutenant-Colonel John Laurens.Fourteenth Congressional Fasting Proclamation Article Conten Read more...

October 18, 1783: Seventh Congressional Day of Thanksgiving

From June 1775 to August 1784, the Continental Congress issued sixteen spiritual proclamations, calling all Thirteen States to fast, pray, and give thanks to God. During this period of time, Congress most commonly issued proclamations in the spring calling upon the states to fast and pray. And, in the fall of the year, Congress issued proclamations of thanksgiving. This alternating pattern was first observed in the New England colonies and later was brought into the Southern colonies. In Virginia, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and several other members of the Virginia House of Burgesses advocated for these observances.[1] Seventh Congressional Day of Thanksgiving Tragically, contemporary attempts to recount the history of America often completely ignore the Read more...

August 3, 1784: Congressional Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving

On August 3, 1784, the Continental Congress issued a proclamation for a "day of solemn prayer and thanksgiving." It was the sixteenth such proclamation issued by Congress throughout the years of the American Revolution. From June of 1775 to August of 1784, Congress generally issued at least one proclamation calling the states to prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving. Usually, two such proclamations were issued each year with one in the spring calling Americans to "fasting, humiliation, and prayer," while a second proclamation in the fall generally invited citizens to "thanksgiving and prayer." Prior to the ratification and implementation of the United States Constitution in 1789, the August 1784 congressional day of prayer and thanksgiving proclamation was the last of its kind. That Read more...