Governor Lee Proclaims September 18 a Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting for Tennessee
Sep 17, 2026 by FACT
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." – 2 Chronicles 7:14
For the eighth consecutive year, Governor Bill Lee signed an official proclamation declaring today, Friday, September 18, a Day of Prayer, Humility and Fasting for the state of Tennessee. The proclamation states that "we acknowledge God's sovereignty and the need for God's grace over our state and our nation,” committing Tennessee to walk "humbly together with God in hope so that we may act with justice, kindness and love, no matter the circumstance " and to "seek forgiveness for our many transgressions so that our hearts and our minds may be renewed."
Governor Lee first proclaimed a Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting in October 2019, his first year in office, and he has renewed it every year since, calling it an "opportunity for people to come together and to unite around asking for blessing for our state," noting it's "historically something that presidents and governors have done throughout history." George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation similarly asked Americans to set aside a day to seek "the pardon of our national and other transgressions."
“Since America’s founding, our nation’s leaders have historically called upon our people to come together and observe a day of prayer and fasting. All throughout our history in both prosperity and crisis, people of faith have sought God, humbling themselves, asking for His forgiveness and for His blessing on our land,” Governor Lee shared this year. “We’re very fortunate to live in the Volunteer State, but many Tennesseans, maybe even you, are facing personal challenges. That’s why I am asking the people of faith in Tennessee to voluntarily come together once again to contemplate our own brokenness, to seek His wisdom and His forgiveness, and to bless the people of our state. Maria and I sincerely hope that you will join us as we pray for the Lord’s rich blessings over each and every Tennessean.”
“We’ve seen the power of prayer in our lives time and time again, and we know the power it can have across the state when we join together to pray,” First Lady Maria shared.
Read the full proclamation HERE and watch Governor and First Lady Lee's message HERE or by clicking the image below.
This year, Tennessee's Day of Prayer coincides with the Nehemiah Alliance, a national movement headquartered in Nashville that is hosting a 52-day prayer, fasting, and repentance campaign on September 10, 2026, running through November 1 and tied to America's 250th anniversary. The campaign builds toward a "Sacred Assembly" at the National Mall on October 31, with participants invited to take on a three-part "Gatekeeper Commitment" of daily prayer, a three-day fast, and community intercession. Click HERE to learn more.
“Let’s be faithful as people of prayer to understand the historical nature and governmental weight of this day in which our Governor has invited us to join him in praying for Tennessee! Surely, it is worth whatever small sacrifice that we might make to humble ourselves, fast as we are able, and ask God for His forgiveness of our sins, and to bring His healing, grace and mercy to our land,” Marlene Tidwell, Director of the TN Governmental Prayer Alliance, stated.
FACT remains committed to standing alongside Tennessee's leaders in prayer for our state. If this proclamation encourages you, join Governor and First Lady Lee today, September 18, in prayer, humility, and fasting for Tennessee – and also consider joining TNGPA's year-round effort to intercede for the leaders who serve us, or signing the Nehemiah Alliance's Gatekeeper Commitment.
For the eighth consecutive year, Governor Bill Lee signed an official proclamation declaring today, Friday, September 18, a Day of Prayer, Humility and Fasting for the state of Tennessee. The proclamation states that "we acknowledge God's sovereignty and the need for God's grace over our state and our nation,” committing Tennessee to walk "humbly together with God in hope so that we may act with justice, kindness and love, no matter the circumstance " and to "seek forgiveness for our many transgressions so that our hearts and our minds may be renewed."
Governor Lee first proclaimed a Day of Prayer, Humility, and Fasting in October 2019, his first year in office, and he has renewed it every year since, calling it an "opportunity for people to come together and to unite around asking for blessing for our state," noting it's "historically something that presidents and governors have done throughout history." George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation similarly asked Americans to set aside a day to seek "the pardon of our national and other transgressions."
“Since America’s founding, our nation’s leaders have historically called upon our people to come together and observe a day of prayer and fasting. All throughout our history in both prosperity and crisis, people of faith have sought God, humbling themselves, asking for His forgiveness and for His blessing on our land,” Governor Lee shared this year. “We’re very fortunate to live in the Volunteer State, but many Tennesseans, maybe even you, are facing personal challenges. That’s why I am asking the people of faith in Tennessee to voluntarily come together once again to contemplate our own brokenness, to seek His wisdom and His forgiveness, and to bless the people of our state. Maria and I sincerely hope that you will join us as we pray for the Lord’s rich blessings over each and every Tennessean.”
“We’ve seen the power of prayer in our lives time and time again, and we know the power it can have across the state when we join together to pray,” First Lady Maria shared.
Read the full proclamation HERE and watch Governor and First Lady Lee's message HERE or by clicking the image below.
This year, Tennessee's Day of Prayer coincides with the Nehemiah Alliance, a national movement headquartered in Nashville that is hosting a 52-day prayer, fasting, and repentance campaign on September 10, 2026, running through November 1 and tied to America's 250th anniversary. The campaign builds toward a "Sacred Assembly" at the National Mall on October 31, with participants invited to take on a three-part "Gatekeeper Commitment" of daily prayer, a three-day fast, and community intercession. Click HERE to learn more.
“Let’s be faithful as people of prayer to understand the historical nature and governmental weight of this day in which our Governor has invited us to join him in praying for Tennessee! Surely, it is worth whatever small sacrifice that we might make to humble ourselves, fast as we are able, and ask God for His forgiveness of our sins, and to bring His healing, grace and mercy to our land,” Marlene Tidwell, Director of the TN Governmental Prayer Alliance, stated.
