The Texas H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum will observe the National Day of Prayer in the Walker County Storm Shelter on May 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance on the first Thursday of May, in which people join in prayer for the wellbeing of the world around them.

Event coordinator Alvin Jones, a retired family-practice physician and educator from Huntsville, explained the history of the event in the area.
“It originally started at the gazebo on the square in downtown Huntsville, but parking was so limited that it was difficult,” Jones said. “They moved it from there to the city hall area and again they had difficulty. The last three years it was held at First Baptist Church in their chapel, but again it was limited access and not many people could be there.”
The organizers decided that the Storm Shelter at the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum would provide a place that is centrally located and had the room and parking that was needed for the community.
“We looked at it and wanted it to be community wide,” Jones said. “We chose the storm shelter at the H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum which is very accessible and is not identified with anything other than the community. We felt that would be a better place for all the people of Huntsville to come.”
The Storm Shelter seats 500 people and the event organizers will provide parking attendants and ushers to make access easy and efficient.   There are nine separate prayers given by nine people— each selected for their connections to the areas. The meal, drinks and parking are free.
“We have invited all the churches,” Jones said. “We have the Galilee Gospel Choir and the Huntsville Men’s Choir singing at the event. We plan to have a sack lunch at 11:30 as you come through the line. Then, the prayer event starts at 12 p.m. and goes to 1 p.m.”
Following the last prayer, the Huntsville Men’s Choir and the congregation will sing “God Bless America.”
“We really would like as many [people] from SHSU who can come to be there,” Jones said.

He added that all religious groups and organizations on campus are welcome to attend.
Shirley Dobson, National Day of Prayer chairman emeritus, spoke about why the event is important.

 “We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep,” Dobson said. “I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too.”