Register Executive Editor Tom Hoopes is in Washington today, to participate in the National Day of Prayer. Tom will be posting news about the day’s celebrations on the Daily Blog later today.

This year’s National Day of Prayer will not include a public ceremony at the White House. President Barack Obama has opted to issue a proclamation about the day but decided against participating in a public event like those organized by his predecessor, George W. Bush.

“Prayer is something that the president does every day,” presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs said in defense of Obama’s break with Bush’s precedent, Fox News reported. “Privately, he’ll pray as he does every day.”

In its report about Obama and the National Day of Prayer, Fox News noted the president still has not decided upon a church in Washington where he and his family will attend Sunday services regularly.

Although Obama has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, it was reported last fall he has not attended church regularly for several years.