NASHVILLE — The passage of a House joint resolution officially designated July as an annual month of prayer and fasting in Tennessee.
HJR0051, championed by State Representative Monty Fritts, passed with 81 out of the 91 votes in the House and 28 out of 31 votes in the Senate before being signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 2. The initiative builds on a successful resolution from the previous year that brought together faith communities across all 95 Tennessee counties.
“Last year we did a house short resolution that was a one-year thing,” explained Fritts, who is the representatives for District 32, parts of Roane and Loudon counties.
“This year we decided it was such a success in getting God’s people together, preparing themselves to pray and asking God to heal our land, that we ran a resolution to get it passed so that every July in Tennessee is recognized as a month of prayer and fasting.”
The resolution — which was also sponsored by State Senator Mark Pody — drew cross-party support, with both Republican and Democrat lawmakers from East and West Tennessee voting in favor. (See editorial from Nancy Duggin, prayer team specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, on page 5).
Fritts noted that the broad appeal extended across racial and geographic lines, demonstrating what he called “a really popular thing to do” once it reached the floor for voting.
Fritts explained that his motivation for the resolution stemmed from frustration with what he sees as the limitations of legislative solutions to complex social problems.
He cited issues such as homelessness, the foster care crisis with 9,000 children in need, and the fentanyl epidemic as examples of problems requiring spiritual intervention alongside policy responses.
“These are spiritual problems at the root,” Fritts said. “We can’t legislate and correct or spend enough money to end homelessness… All those things, the spiritual problems, that’s the root.”
“The big problems of this world can only be fixed by the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Matt Cannon, Director of Missions at Big Emory Baptist Association. Cannon was one of the pastors who helped Fritts write the resolution and prayed for its passage.
“I am so thankful that there are people willing to put themselves out there for this cause,” Cannon added. “If we’re not going to pray, we’re not tapping into the power of God.”
Fritts, who attends First Baptist Church in Rockwood, emphasized that the resolution provides an opportunity for Christians to demonstrate boldness in their faith while potentially benefiting the broader community, including non-believers.
Interfaith unity
One of the most significant outcomes from last year’s observance was the unity demonstrated across denominational lines. Fritts reported participation from Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God, Church of God, Church of Christ, Lutheran, and Catholic communities.
“We should all be able to find unity in the cross and the resurrection,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean we’re not going to have doctrinal differences about other things, and we should have discussions about that. But God’s people ought to be able to unite behind the fact that Christ is the risen king.”
Despite facing some political opposition in the Senate, Fritts attributed the resolution’s ultimate success to prayer and what he described as “the move of the Holy Spirit” influencing lawmakers’ hearts.
Statewide coordination effort
The Tennessee Prayer Coalition is spearheading coordination efforts, with approximately 200 volunteers across the state’s 95 counties helping to organize local participation.
Last year, Fritts said he traveled to all 95 counties to deliver copies of the resolution and meet with groups ranging from handfuls of participants to gatherings of hundreds.
“It just really depended on how active the churches were in the areas and how well we were able to reach contacts,” Fritts said of last year’s turnout across different regions.
Fritts added that the resolution encourages those who are “spiritually inclined and physically able,” acknowledging that not everyone can participate in fasting for health reasons. Local gatherings are expected to take place at courthouses and other community venues throughout the month.
As July approaches, organizers are encouraging participants to begin preparing their hearts for the month of prayer and fasting, with the goal of seeking spiritual solutions to the state’s challenges while fostering unity among Tennessee’s faith communities.
In a letter sent out at the end of May, Pody also encouraged pastors to read or have the resolution read during church services.
For more information, visit www.pray4tn.us. B&R