Days of Prayer and Thanksgiving in the United States
Presidential proclamations are fewer following the Civil War.
The tradition of declaring days of prayer and thanksgiving in the United States dates to colonial times. These proclamations were issued to unite people during times of crisis or to express collective gratitude. By the time of the American Civil War (1861–1865), this tradition had become a powerful tool for leaders on both sides of that conflict.
A Unifying Tradition in Divided Times
Before the Civil War, days of prayer and thanksgiving were typically declared during pivotal moments, such as droughts, wars, or moments of national triumph. George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789, emphasizing gratitude for the new Constitution. Subsequent presidents occasionally followed suit, though these proclamations were irregular.
Here’s a quick summary of the first sixteen Presidents (76 years):
· George Washington: 2
· John Adams: 2
· Thomas Jefferson: 0
· James Madison: 4
· James Monroe–James Buchanan: 0
· Abraham Lincoln: 9
Total proclamations through the Civil War: 14 (plus 9 by Jefferson Davis)
Here’s a quick summary of the post-Civil War period (159 years):
· Andrew Johnson: 2
· Ulysses S. Grant to Rutherford B. Hayes: 0
· James A. Garfield: 1
· Benjamin Harrison: 1
· William McKinley: 1
· Theodore Roosevelt: 1
· Woodrow Wilson: 2
· Warren G. Harding: 1
· Franklin D. Roosevelt: 2
· Harry S. Truman: 1
· Dwight D. Eisenhower: 1
· Lyndon B. Johnson: 1
Total proclamations post-Civil War (excluding annual Thanksgiving): 14
More During the Civil War
During the Civil War, these declarations took on even greater importance. Both the Union and the Confederacy used them to rally their citizens, seek divine intervention, and sustain morale amid the war’s devastation. Leaders on both sides appealed to their constituent’s shared religious values, even as the nation was torn apart.
Lincoln’s Days of Prayer and Thanksgiving
President Abraham Lincoln, leading the Union, issued multiple proclamations for days of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving throughout the Civil War. These declarations often marked moments of significance, such as military victories or periods of crisis.
Lincoln’s most famous proclamations are the ones issued on October 3, 1863, establishing a day of gratitude and on October 30, 1864, declaring Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November.
Additionally, Lincoln declared days of prayer and fasting at other key moments. On August 12, 1861, he called for a day of “humiliation, prayer, and fasting” as the Union grappled with the realities of war. Similarly, in April 1863, he issued a proclamation urging Americans to confess their sins and seek divine favor.
Lincoln issued 9 proclamations of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving during the Civil War.
Davis’s Declarations in the Confederacy
Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States, also used proclamations of prayer and thanksgiving to bolster support for the Confederate cause. Like Lincoln, Davis frequently appealed to religious sentiments to frame the conflict as a moral and spiritual struggle.
Davis declared days of prayer and fasting multiple times during the war. For instance, on November 15, 1861, he called for a day of prayer and fasting to acknowledge “our dependence on God” and seek blessings for the Confederate efforts. He continued this practice throughout the war, issuing at least five proclamations for such days, including one on March 27, 1863, to mark Confederate victories.
Davis also issued 9 proclamations of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving during the Civil War.
The Waning of the Practice
The use of national days of prayer and thanksgiving began to decline after the Civil War. While Thanksgiving became an annual tradition, other religious proclamations by political leaders became less common. This shift reflected the changing dynamics of American society, including growing religious pluralism and a broader separation of church and state.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, presidents occasionally issued calls for prayer, often tied to specific crises like wars or national tragedies. However, these proclamations were less frequent and central to political leadership than the Civil War era.
Acts of Congress
Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the United States through an act of Congress on December 26, 1941.
The National Day of Prayer was formalized as an annual event by President Harry S. Truman in 1952, who signed a joint resolution of Congress into law. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a law designating the first Thursday in May as the official day for its observance.
Days of Prayer and Thanksgiving in the United States
The Civil War era was a high point for U.S. political leaders declaring days of prayer and thanksgiving. Both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis saw these proclamations as vital tools for uniting their people and framing their causes in moral and spiritual terms.
While Thanksgiving remains a cherished national holiday, the tradition of frequent religious proclamations has faded. Nonetheless, these Civil War-era proclamations and the subsequent acts by Congress remain a testament to the enduring power of shared rituals in times of national trial.
JD Solomon resides in the Carolinas, where he fishes, sails, and coaches baseball. Professionally, JD Solomon is the founder of JD Solomon, Inc., the creator of the FINESSE fishbone diagram®, and the co-creator of the SOAP criticality method©.
