Two local events planned to mark Day of Prayer

Two National Day of Prayer events will be held Thursday in Texarkana.

The first is planned for 6:45 a.m. at the parking lot of First Baptist Church of Texarkana “to pray for America, because she desperately needs it,” said pastor Jeff Schreve.

Donuts, juice and coffee will be served. The church is located on Moores Lane.

A large group will also gather at noon at the Downtown Post Office.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to come together to pray for America. This special day was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into being by President Harry S. Truman.

Long before this day was nationally observed, prayer was practiced as a vital part of our nation’s heritage.

In 1775, the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming the United States of America.

During the Civil War, President Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.”

A genuine trust in God that is evidenced by humility and prayer has always been and will always be the hallmark of greatness.

The theme verse for the day is Daniel 9:19, “O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”