The 2016 National Day of Prayer theme is “Wake Up America,†based on Isaiah 58:1 — “Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.â€
Nearly a dozen events are planned to observe the day in Mid-Missouri Thursday.
The 65th annual national event encourages Americans to pray for personal repentance and cultural righteousness, the website said.
President Harry Truman signed a joint resolution from Congress in 1952 formalizing an annual observance, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. Pres. Ronald Reagan permanently set the date as the first Thursday in May.
But national days of prayer in America date back to 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation, the website said. U.S. presidents have called for 144 national days of prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving.
To observe Thursday's event, there will be a gathering at 12:15 p.m. at the Moniteau County Courthouse in California. Call (573) 338-2154 or email to [email protected] for more information.
Doug Crader, chairman of the Jefferson City National Day of Prayer Task Force, asked area pastors to encourage their congregations to participate in the day’s events.
In Jefferson City, the Mayor and Presiding Commissioner’s Prayer Breakfast will be held 7-8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Double Tree Hotel. The National Day of Prayer featured speaker will be Cole County Sheriff Greg White. Call (573) 690-4220 for more information.
Other events in Mid-Missouri include:
• Pray and Fast for America at Second Baptist Church, Jefferson City. Call (573) 636-3326 for more information.
• Student-led youth prayer at the flag pole at 7:30 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson City.
• Student-led youth prayer at the flag pole at 7:30 a.m. at Lewis and Clark Middle School, Jefferson City.
• Student-led youth prayer at the flag pole at 8 a.m. at Jefferson City High School.
• Student-led youth prayer at the flag pole at 8 a.m. at Simonsen 9th Grade Center, Jefferson City.
• Event at 11:20 a.m.-2:20 p.m. in the Missouri Capitol Rotunda.
• Event on the Missouri Capitol south steps 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Gathering at noon at Lake Christian Academy, Sunrise Beach. Call (573) 374-1500 for more information. On the web: www.lakechristianacademy.com.
• Bel Cantos choir from Camdenton High School directed by Trent Clayton and accompanied by Cheri Bonacker will perform at 1:30 p.m. at Camdenton United Methodist Church, hosted by the women’s group and followed by a prayer service. Call (573) 346-5350 or email to [email protected] for more information.
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