Haley declares South Carolina Day of Prayer

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley has declared a South Carolina Day of Prayer.

The governor issued a proclamation Thursday encouraging residents to celebrate the day in a manner consistent to their own faith.

The declaration coincides with the National Day of Prayer.

Congress established the annual day in 1952 with the backing of the Rev. Billy Graham. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill setting the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray.

Haley asks residents to recognize their “blessings to live in an amazing country and a great state.”

Last year, the House unanimously passed a bill 107-0 putting the State Day of Prayer into state law. The proposal is on the Senate calendar, but with objections.