Thursday, May 1 was National Day of Prayer, and communities across the country found various ways to participate.
In Whitesboro, business owner Hank Lovejoy hosted a gathering at Lovejoys On Main in downtown. Prayers were led by Lovejoy, Steve Bernard, Sid Brannon, Reverend Jake Dickerson (First United Methodist Church), Marcie
Mann and Jerry Zander. The event focused on seven prayer topics: church, family, education, business/workplace, military, government and media/arts/entertainment.
Another opportunity to gather for National Day of Prayer was held at 7 a.m. at the flagpole of all Whitesboro ISD campuses. Any students or citizens who wanted to attend were encouraged to come and pray for the district’s students, teachers, administrators and community.
Now in its 74th consecutive year, the National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance by the United States Congress. Each year, the U.S. President is required by law to sign a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
The law was initially formalized in 1952 as part of the public’s reaction to potential threats during the Korean War.
However, fasting and prayer were established by the Second Continental Congress and President John Adams in the late 1700’s.
Today, American citizens are encouraged to gather on the third Thursday of each May “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”
