Thursday, May 4 offers a unique opportunity for national reflection and petition to God in the form of the 2017 National Day of Prayer.
The event will be publicly recognized in Hugoton at two locations: first at the First National Bank’s flagpole from 7:45 to 8:00 a.m., then at the Stevens County Courthouse flagpole at 12:00 Noon.
FNB is located at 502 S. Jackson, and the Courthouse is at 200 E. Sixth.
If you are unable to attend either event, you can still participate during the evening hours by watching the live stream of the
National Day of Prayer event in Washington, D.C. from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. A link to the live stream will be available by clicking here.
National Day of Prayer Chairperson Anne Graham Lotz will lead participants in unified prayer for America.
The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us …Forgive Us …Heal Us!” inspired by Daniel 9:19. It emphasizes the United States’ need as a nation to cry out to God, who is sovereign over all governments and authorities.
Important items on the prayer request list include the United States government, US military forces, the media, businesses, educators, churches and families.
The National Day of Prayer, established in public law by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman in 1952, then amended to designate the day under the 100th Congress and President Reagan in 1988, states “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.”
As the nation struggles with foreign and domestic threats, economic insecurity, cultural tensions, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, United States citizens are encouraged to heed the call by elected leaders to exercise one of their most precious freedoms – the right to gather, turn to God, and pray.
The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.
