Tennessee Governor Declares Day of Prayer and Fasting: 'We Acknowledge God's Sovereignty'

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Tennessee’s governor this week declared Sept. 18 a “Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting” as part of a proclamation acknowledging “God’s sovereignty,” Tennessee’s many blessings, and the need for repentance.

It was the eighth straight year that Gov. Bill Lee issued such a proclamation — the first of which sparked some backlash but has since become an annual tradition for a leader who is public about his Christian faith.

“We acknowledge God's sovereignty and the need for God’s grace over our state and our nation,” the proclamation says, adding that “we seek forgiveness for our many transgressions so that our hearts and our minds may be renewed.”

It adds that “Scripture tells us that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the Lord gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it.”

“The people of Tennessee acknowledge our rich blessings, our deep transgressions, the complex challenges ahead, and the need to pause, to humble ourselves and to seek God's guidance for the days ahead.”

The proclamation names Sept. 18 as a “voluntary Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting in Tennessee” and says Lee encourages “all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.”

Lee wrote on X/Twitter: “May we take a moment to humble ourselves before the Lord, seek His wisdom, & ask for continued grace & favor over TN & her people.”

Following is the full text of the proclamation:

“WHEREAS, we acknowledge God's sovereignty and the need for God’s grace over our state and our nation; and

“WHEREAS, we walk humbly together with God in hope so that we may act with justice, kindness and love, no matter the circumstance; and

“WHEREAS, we seek forgiveness for our many transgressions so that our hearts and our minds may be renewed; and

“WHEREAS, Scripture tells us that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the Lord gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it; and

“WHEREAS, the people of Tennessee acknowledge our rich blessings, our deep transgressions, the complex challenges ahead, and the need to pause, to humble ourselves and to seek God's guidance for the days ahead.

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim September 18, 2026 as a voluntary Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.”

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Olga Chetvergova

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

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