SENATE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING AND RECOGNIZING MAY 7, 2026, AS "NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 8 co-sponsors

Designates May 7, 2026 as Rhode Island’s National Day of Prayer and urges residents to observe a moment of prayer in line with their faith.

05/07/2026 Senate read and passed

Summary of Bill: SR 3270 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and Intent

Proclaims May 7, 2026, as "National Day of Prayer" in the State of Rhode Island.

Recognizes the role of prayer in American life during times of both difficulty and joy.

Encourages Rhode Islanders to observe a moment on that day to participate in this observance and to share the idea with friends and neighbors in a manner consistent with their faith or practice.

Key Provisions and Changes

Official Recognition: The Rhode Island Senate commemorates and designates May 7, 2026, as the National Day of Prayer within the state.

Public Encouragement: A call to all Rhode Islanders to set aside a specific moment on May 7 to participate in the day’s spiritual observance and to promote observance within their communities.

Transmission of Resolution: The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to transmit certified copies of the resolution to Jaime Lind and Greg Johnson, identified as the State Coordinators of the National Day of Prayer.

Affected Parties

General public in Rhode Island: Encouraged to observe the National Day of Prayer in a manner aligned with their faith or practice.

State government: Involvement mainly through official recognition and procedural action (certified copies to designated coordinators).

National Day of Prayer coordinators: Recipients of certified copies to recognize the designation within Rhode Island.

Procedural and Timeline Details

Introduced: May 7, 2026.

Referred to: Recommended for Immediate Consideration by the Senate.

Effective action: The resolution designates the day and directs transmission of copies; no new law or funding is created.

Administrative steps: The Secretary of State is empowered to issue certified copies to official coordinators Jaime Lind and Greg Johnson.

Notable Context

The resolution emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of prayer in American society and references the origins of National Day of Prayer (established in the 1950s and observed on the first Thursday in May since 1988).

The text includes a thematic note tied to the current year (“Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations”) inspired by a biblical passage (2 Chronicles 16:14 and related historical allusion).

Practical Impact

This is a symbolic, ceremonial action that officially recognizes a national observance within Rhode Island.

It provides a formal opportunity for Rhode Island residents to observe the day in alignment with their own faith traditions and practices.

No sanctions, funding, or regulatory changes are attached to the resolution.