Hotmail
Obama signs day of prayer proclamation
Unlike predecessor, no public ceremony with clerics, lawmakers or prayers
 Pete Souza / White House The director of the White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Joshua DuBois, looks on as President Obama signs the proclamation marking May 7, 2009 a national day of prayer. |
|
 | Video: White House |
 War decision looms over Obama’s trip Nov. 14: As the president’s four-nation journey through Asia continues, his agenda is being partially overshadowed by his impending decision on troops in Afghanistan. NBC’s Savannah Guthrie reports. |
Follow @msnbc_politics for more news from D.C.
 | Interactive |
 |
| White House visitor logs |
 | Public records Help figure out who has been visiting the White House during the first eight months of the Obama administration. |
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is marking today's National Day of Prayer -- but not publicly.
The president has signed a proclamation about the day in private. There'll be no public ceremony involving prominent clerics, lawmakers or prayers, as there was when George W. Bush was in the White House.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says it's not that Obama thinks the observance was getting politicized, as some critics charge. Aides say he's merely returning to the practice that prevailed before Bush took office -- of signing and issuing a proclamation.
Gibbs says Obama is well aware of the role prayer plays in the lives of Americans -- because he begins each day in private worship.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE |
 The White House Section Front |
| Add The White House headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links
Resource guide