2024 -- S 3015

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LC006019

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING AND RECOGNIZING MAY 2, 2024, AS "NATIONAL DAY OF

PRAYER" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators F. Lombardi, de la Cruz, Ciccone, Picard, Rogers, Felag,
Raptakis, Zurier, Britto, and Bissaillon

     Date Introduced: May 02, 2024

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, During times of strength and times of weakness, in moments of joy and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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annual prayer day as the first Thursday in May; and

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

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

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

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their sin and will heal their land"; and

 

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     WHEREAS, The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "LIFT UP THE WORD-

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LIGHT UP THE WORLD" which comes from 2 Samuel 22:29-31 in the Holy Bible, and states

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"For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You, I can run against

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a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God--his way is perfect; the word of the Lord

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proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him"; now, therefore be it

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

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recognizes May 2, 2024, as "National Day of Prayer" in Rhode Island; and be it further

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

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

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

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faith or practice; and be it further

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

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

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of the National Day of Prayer.

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LC006019

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