Over 138 years ago, a nation was called to prayer by its president, during a time of severe sorrow. The date was Friday, 27 March 1863; that nation was the Confederate States of America.
"To this end I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America, do issue this my proclamation, setting apart Friday, the 27th day of March, as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer; and I do invite the people of the said States to repair on that day to their places of worship, and to join in prayer to Almighty God, that He will preciously restore to our beloved country, the blessing of peace and security. In faith whereof I have hereunto set my hand at the city of Richmond on the twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three."