By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

National Day of Prayer calls on all people of different faiths in the United States to pray for the nation and its leaders. It is held on the first Thursday of May each year, according to timeanddate.com

In 1775 the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. Over the years, there have been calls for a day of prayer, including from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.

On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law in the United States.

President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.

The National Prayer Committee was formed in the United States in 1972. It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer.  

According to the Legal Information Institute, the President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.

This Thursday, Bridge City, Orange County, and Vidor will each hold a National Day of Prayer event on Thursday, May 2.

Orange County Commissioners Court will host an event in observance of the day at noon at the Orange County Courthouse.

Bridge City will host an event, sponsored by the Bridge City-Orangefield Ministerial Alliance, at 11:30 a.m. at the Bridge City Park Pavilion located at the corner of West Roundbunch and Parkside.

They ask the public to join them as ‘we unite together in prayer for our elected leaders, community and nation.’

City of Vidor will have an event at 5:30 p.m. at the steps of Vidor City Hall. The theme is Pray for America and Love One Another, inspired from John 13:34.

Love one another. Just as I have loved you.