“Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people,” Proverbs 14:34.
Traditionally, the first Thursday in May marks the “National Day of Prayer” in the United States. This year is no different, as May 1 will be the eighth annual local “National Day of Prayer”. The local day will coincide with the 52nd annual national observance of the event.
“Righteousness Exalts a Nation” is this year’s theme, as based on the passage in the Bible’s book of Proverbs. The event, lasting for one hour will be held at noon at the Jane Monday Amphitheater and again at 6:45 p.m. at Bowers Stadium. One thousand prayerful attendees are expected to participate this year.
All families, children and members of the Huntsville community are invited to attend, with a special invitation extended to community leaders.
Nationalities, denominational preferences, and economic standing are extraneous to this occasion. The event is a meant to be a public display of America’s dependency on God and an exercise in the First Amendment.
Prayers will be said for the state of the nation in addition to any other issues participants feel compelled to pray about.
The Constitutional Congress first set aside a day of prayer in 1775. Later Congress established a formal, annual day of prayer in 1952, and in 1988 an amendment was made calling the first Thursday in May, the “National Day of Prayer.”
People celebrate and recognize this day each year at school flagpoles, courthouses, businesses, stadiums and churches. Over 30,000 volunteers and coordinators organize prayer groups in all 50 states, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Anyone interested in attending the main event may go to Bowers Stadium today at 6:45 p.m. for music, undenominational worship and prayer.