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 Thursday event in Mid-Missouri.
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.
The 65th annual national event encourages Americans to pray for personal repentance and cultural righteousness.
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. President Ronald Reagan permanently set the date as the first Thursday in May.
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, according to the event website. U.S. presidents have called for 144 national days of prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving.
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 690-4220 for more information.
Other events in Mid-Missouri include:
• Pray and Fast for America at Second Baptist Church. Call 636-3326 for more information.
• Student-led youth prayer at the flag pole at 7:30 a.m. at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
• Student-led youth prayer at the flag pole at 7:30 a.m. at Lewis and Clark Middle School
• 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
• Event 11:20 a.m.-2:20 p.m. in the Capitol Rotunda
• Event on the Capitol south steps 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
• Gathering at noon at Lake Christian Academy, Sunrise Beach. Call 374-1500 for more information. On the web: www.lakechristianacademy.com
• Gathering at 12:15 p.m. at Moniteau County Courthouse, California. Call 338-2154 or email to [email protected] for more information.
• 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 346-5350 or email to [email protected] for more information.
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