National Day of Prayer

It intrigues me that there is a national day of prayer. I have been taught to "pray always" and "keep a prayer in my heart"; yet there is a day set aside to be for prayer. It makes me think of the wonderful founding fathers who had such faith in an unwavering, loving, trusting God.
c/o Bible Dictionary:

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

You would think (or I would, at least) that there is lots of praying going on, on our "National Day of Prayer" and yet our President is signing a proclamation...not offering a prayer. Things like this confuse me. These things also help me understand my Jehovah's Witness Friends who do not celebrate certain pagan holidays.
c/o MSN:

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is marking today's National Day of Prayer -- but not publicly.
The president has signed a proclamation about the day in private. There'll be no public ceremony involving prominent clerics, lawmakers or prayers, as there was when George W. Bush was in the White House.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says it's not that Obama thinks the observance was getting politicized, as some critics charge. Aides say he's merely returning to the practice that prevailed before Bush took office -- of signing and issuing a proclamation.
Gibbs says Obama is well aware of the role prayer plays in the lives of Americans -- because he begins each day in private worship.

I have said quite a few extra prayers today (not realizing it was prayer day) for some personal struggles. My name was placed on the temple prayer roll as well. I have felt the loving arms of my Father in Heaven and seen his many blessings this day. I hope you can see the same.
c/o lds.org:

We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. We should pray to Him and no one else. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, "Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name" (3 Nephi 18:19). As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith.