Fact Check: Did Obama cancel the National Day of Prayer?

Fact-Check: Did Obama Cancel the National Day of Prayer?

What We Know

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance established by Congress, held on the first Thursday of May, where Americans are encouraged to pray and meditate. This observance was formalized in 1952, and every president since then is required by law to issue a proclamation for this day (National Day of Prayer).

Despite claims circulating on social media that President Barack Obama canceled the National Day of Prayer, the evidence shows otherwise. Obama issued proclamations for the National Day of Prayer every year during his presidency from 2009 to 2016. For example, he proclaimed May 5, 2016, as the National Day of Prayer, inviting citizens to give thanks and seek divine guidance (Prayer Day Still Not Cancelled).

Moreover, while Obama did not hold public events at the White House for the National Day of Prayer, he did attend the National Prayer Breakfast annually, which further demonstrates his engagement with the observance (Prayer Day Still Not Cancelled).

Analysis

The claim that Obama canceled the National Day of Prayer appears to stem from his decision not to host public ceremonies at the White House, a practice that was more common under his predecessors. However, this does not equate to cancellation. The National Day of Prayer Task Force has explicitly stated that Obama did not cancel the observance and that he issued proclamations each year of his presidency (Prayer Day Still Not Cancelled).

Furthermore, the assertion that Obama sought to avoid offending anyone by canceling the day is unfounded. The proclamations he issued demonstrate that he recognized and upheld the observance as mandated by law. According to a fact-check by PolitiFact, the claims about Obama canceling the National Day of Prayer have been repeatedly debunked since they first emerged in 2009, indicating a persistent misinformation issue rather than a factual basis.

In terms of source reliability, the National Day of Prayer Task Force and PolitiFact are credible organizations that provide fact-checking services and have addressed the claims directly. The information from these sources is well-supported by historical context and legal requirements surrounding the observance.

Conclusion

The claim that President Obama canceled the National Day of Prayer is False. While he chose not to hold public events at the White House, he consistently issued proclamations recognizing the day throughout his presidency. The legal framework established by Congress requires each president to proclaim this day, making it impossible for any president to unilaterally cancel it without legislative action. The ongoing circulation of this claim reflects a misunderstanding of Obama's actions rather than a factual occurrence.