In times of war, general calamities and other great afflictions the presence of which is felt throughout the churches a day of prayer may be proclaimed by the church appointed for that purpose by synod.
The contents of this article are a remnant of the ancient custom of appointing days of prayer and fasting, concerning which the permission of the magistrates had to be requested, because public life would come to a complete standstill on these days.
By having adopted this article the churches maintain order, so that in times of great difficulty a day of prayer can be held in all the congregations on the same date.
Every synod shall appoint a church called to nominate such a day of prayer, if desirable.