Local events are planned to mark the National Day of Prayer on May 2, with the theme "Love One Another," inspired by John 13:34.
A gathering in the Missouri Capitol's first-floor Rotunda will feature opening remarks by Gov. Mike Parson, followed by a keynote speech by Col. David Bowlus, of Fort Leonard Wood.
The Army band will also perform during the service, according to information on the National Day of Prayer website.
The service in the Capitol is scheduled to begin at noon Thursday.
The Russellville-Lohman Ministerial Alliance also has organized a National Day of Prayer gathering.
Ten ministers from area churches will pray beginning at 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The event will be at the Russellville City Park Shelter.
Pastor Dinzel Webb, of Russellville Baptist Church, said the event promotes unity and worship.
"We live in a very wonderful nation," Dinzel said. "God has blessed us, and we want to continue to pray for God's blessing and pray for our nation."
Prayers will be said for military members, veterans, disaster victims, law enforcement, relief workers, volunteers, education, firefighters, corrections officers, emergency workers, school boards and government officials. People who work in those fields are invited to join.
The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952, to be observed annually on the first Thursday of May.