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Designating the first Thursday in May, in 2026 and in each succeeding year, as the National Day of Prayer in Virginia.
Agreed to by the Senate, February 4, 2026
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 11, 2026
WHEREAS, prayer and spiritual reflection have played a significant role in the history and culture of the Commonwealth and the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States was founded on a guarantee of religious freedom for people of all faiths, and people from around the world have brought with them a wide range of religious traditions; and
WHEREAS, Virginians and Americans of different faiths and creeds are united by shared values of compassion, generosity, and care for their communities; and
WHEREAS, in 1952, the United States Congress established the National Day of Prayer as an annual observance to encourage people of all faiths and backgrounds to engage in voluntary prayer, meditation, or personal reflection; and
WHEREAS, since that time, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and many other denominations have recognized and commemorated the National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, the National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for all Virginians to celebrate their faith in a manner consistent with their own beliefs and for community organizations and faith-based groups to host observances that respect the diversity of religious expression in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly designate the first Thursday in May, in 2026 and in each succeeding year, as the National Day of Prayer in Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate transmit a copy of this resolution to faith leaders in the Commonwealth so that they may be apprised of the sense of the General Assembly of Virginia in this matter; and, be it
RESOLVED FINALLY, That the Clerk of the Senate post the designation of this day on the General Assembly's website.