05/07/2026
The first Thursday in May is the National Day of Prayer. It was established by the U.S. Congress in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman to be an annual observance. This is Harry Truman's integrity prayer:
"Oh! Almighty and Everlasting God, Creator of Heaven, Earth and the Universe: Help me to be, to think, to act what is right, because it is right; make me truthful, honest and honorable in all things; make me intellectually honest for the sake of right and honor and without thought of reward to me. Give me the ability to be charitable, forgiving and patient with my fellowmen—help me to understand their motives and their shortcomings—even as Thou understandest mine! Amen, Amen, Amen.
"The prayer ... has been said by me-by Harry S. Truman-from high school days: as window washer, bottle duster, floor scrubber in Independence, Mo., drug store, as a timekeeper on a railroad contract gang, as an employee of an untruthful and character assassinating newspaper, as a bank clerk, as a farmer riding a gang plow behind four horses and mules, as a fraternity official learning to say nothing at all if good could not be said of a man, as a public official judging the weaknesses and shortcomings of constituents, and as President of the U.S.A."
