National Day of Prayer Task Force
Encyclopedia
The National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDP Task Force) is an American
evangelical
conservative Christian non-profit organization which organizes, coordinates, and presides over Evangelical Christian religious observances each year on the National Day of Prayer
.
Mrs. Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson
(the evangelical conservative Christian author and founder of the politically conservative evangelical Christian organization Focus on the Family
) has been chairwoman of the NDP Task Force since 1991.
The Vice Chairman of the NDP Task Force is author, speaker, and co-host of Engage in Truth, John Bornschein, who recently authored a new book for the National Day of Prayer entitled The Front Line: Prayer and Spiritual Warfare.
The theme for the 2011 Annual Observance was “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. The theme for the 2012 Annual Observance is “One Nation Under God”.
The headquarters of the NDP Task Force is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Offices were located at Focus on the Family until 2009. The website of the NDP Task Force states that “its business affairs remained separate” from those of Focus on the Family, but also that “between 1990 and 1993, Focus on the Family did provide grants in support of the NDP Task Force” and that “Focus on the Family was compensated for services rendered.”
In 2011, the stated mission and purpose of the NDP Task Force were modified.
Currently, the NDP Task Force’s stated mission is “to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.”
The NDP Task Force’s current "vision", according to their website, is “to mobilize and encourage personal and corporate prayer, regardless of current issues and positions; preserve America’s Christian heritage and defend the religious freedoms granted by the Constitution; emphasize prayer for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family; foster unity within the Christian Church ”
While the NDP Task Force coordinates thousands of local events throughout the nation on the National Day of Prayer, the most prominent event is the National Observance in Washington D.C.
During each year of the Bush Administration, events coordinated with the NDP Task Force were held in the White House
. Republican
Presidents Ronald Reagan
and George H. W. Bush
each held only one NDP Task Force-coordinated religious ceremony on a National Day of Prayer during their tenures. During his tenure, Democratic
President Bill Clinton
held informal prayer meetings but did not participate in NDP Task Force events, nor has Democratic President Barack Obama
.
of the U.S. Constitution.
Aseem Shukla, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation
stated, “In 2005, the Hindu American Foundation was repulsed by Shirley Dobson's National Day of Prayer Task Force, when it sought to join celebrations throughout the country. This same task force joined the likes of Focus on Family and others, that enjoyed official status and the aura of government sanction.”
The NDP Task Force states:
“The National Day of Prayer Task Force was a creation of the National Prayer Committee for the expressed purpose of organizing and promoting prayer observances conforming to a Judeo-Christian system of values. People with other theological and philosophical views are, of course, free to organize and participate in activities that are consistent with their own beliefs. This diversity is what Congress intended when it designated the Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for this nation would be encouraged to do so in any way deemed appropriate. It is that broad invitation to the American people that led, in our case, to the creation of the Task Force and the Judeo-Christian principles on which it is based.”
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
conservative Christian non-profit organization which organizes, coordinates, and presides over Evangelical Christian religious observances each year on the National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day...
.
Mrs. Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson
James Dobson
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family , which he led until 2003. In the 1980s he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesman for conservative social positions in American public life...
(the evangelical conservative Christian author and founder of the politically conservative evangelical Christian organization Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
) has been chairwoman of the NDP Task Force since 1991.
The Vice Chairman of the NDP Task Force is author, speaker, and co-host of Engage in Truth, John Bornschein, who recently authored a new book for the National Day of Prayer entitled The Front Line: Prayer and Spiritual Warfare.
The theme for the 2011 Annual Observance was “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”. The theme for the 2012 Annual Observance is “One Nation Under God”.
The headquarters of the NDP Task Force is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Offices were located at Focus on the Family until 2009. The website of the NDP Task Force states that “its business affairs remained separate” from those of Focus on the Family, but also that “between 1990 and 1993, Focus on the Family did provide grants in support of the NDP Task Force” and that “Focus on the Family was compensated for services rendered.”
Purpose and mission
In 2010, The National Day of Prayer Task Force's stated mission was to "communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: government, military, media, business, education, church and family."In 2011, the stated mission and purpose of the NDP Task Force were modified.
Currently, the NDP Task Force’s stated mission is “to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.”
The NDP Task Force’s current "vision", according to their website, is “to mobilize and encourage personal and corporate prayer, regardless of current issues and positions; preserve America’s Christian heritage and defend the religious freedoms granted by the Constitution; emphasize prayer for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family; foster unity within the Christian Church ”
History
Founded in 1983, the NDP Task Force is a non-profit subsidiary of the evangelical Christian National Prayer Committee, which was founded in 1979 by Mrs. Vonette Bright, co-founder of the evangelical Christian organization Campus Crusade for Christ International.Campus Crusade for Christ
Campus Crusade for Christ is an interdenominational Christian organization that promotes evangelism and discipleship in more than 190 countries...
While the NDP Task Force coordinates thousands of local events throughout the nation on the National Day of Prayer, the most prominent event is the National Observance in Washington D.C.
During each year of the Bush Administration, events coordinated with the NDP Task Force were held in the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
. Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Presidents Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
and George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
each held only one NDP Task Force-coordinated religious ceremony on a National Day of Prayer during their tenures. During his tenure, Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
held informal prayer meetings but did not participate in NDP Task Force events, nor has Democratic President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Controversy
Critics have charged that the NDP Task Force has used its political power to “hijack” the National Day of Prayer to exclude non-Christians, and that this violates the Establishment Clause of the First AmendmentFirst Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
of the U.S. Constitution.
Aseem Shukla, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation
Hindu American Foundation
The Hindu American Foundation is an American Hindu human rights group advocating on behalf of the Hindu community in the United States. Dr...
stated, “In 2005, the Hindu American Foundation was repulsed by Shirley Dobson's National Day of Prayer Task Force, when it sought to join celebrations throughout the country. This same task force joined the likes of Focus on Family and others, that enjoyed official status and the aura of government sanction.”
The NDP Task Force states:
“The National Day of Prayer Task Force was a creation of the National Prayer Committee for the expressed purpose of organizing and promoting prayer observances conforming to a Judeo-Christian system of values. People with other theological and philosophical views are, of course, free to organize and participate in activities that are consistent with their own beliefs. This diversity is what Congress intended when it designated the Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for this nation would be encouraged to do so in any way deemed appropriate. It is that broad invitation to the American people that led, in our case, to the creation of the Task Force and the Judeo-Christian principles on which it is based.”