Sierra County residents are invited to gather for the National Day of Prayer at noon, May 2, at the Loyalton Fire Department flagpole for an interdenominational observance of prayer for America.
Janet McHenry, National Day of Prayer coordinator for Sierra County said, “The theme for the 2019 National Day of Prayer is Love One Another and comes from the words of Jesus in John 13:34, ‘Love one another. Just as I have loved you.’”
McHenry said the event is a simple, come-as-you-are, informal one without speeches or even music. “We are challenging each of the local churches,” McHenry said, “to send at least ten people to the flagpole prayer event. Materials will be available for people to take home to help them remember our government officials in prayer.”
In case of inclement weather, McHenry said the event would be held at the Loyalton Community Church at Second and Lewis streets.
The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans. Officially, the NDP was established as an annual event by an act of Congress in 1952 and was signed into law by President Truman. President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the NDP. President Bill Clinton signed a bill in 1998, designating that the President would issue an annual NDP proclamation to encourage people to turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force, an organization separate from the U.S. government, provides resources to encourage communities to pray for the well being of America and for those in leadership on all levels of government, church, and educational areas of influence. The National Day of Prayer is observed annually on the first Thursday of May.
More information about the National Day of Prayer is available on the NDP website: https://nationaldayofprayer.org.
