National Day of Prayer observation here May 4

By Cindy Klaveano

Special to the East Washingtonian

POMEROY–National Day of Prayer will be observed nationally as well as locally on May 4 at noon, at an as-yet undetermined location. This is the 72nd year our nation has set aside a day to pray for our country and its leaders.

The day is being planned by volunteers of the local churches and will include a "prayer clock" which is carried out in each church throughout the day. Members of the churches sign up to pray for half an hour each for our county, our nation and our leaders. When one's half hour is concluded they call the next person on the list and prayers continue throughout the day. In the past there have been as many as 130 Garfield County residents untied in prayer.

A special prayer will be read together by those attending the days' observance. The prayer will also be read simultaneously throughout the nation at noon. Americans of many religions, including Christians of many denominations, including Protestants and Catholic, as well as Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus and Jews, reflecting the demographics of the United States celebrate the observance.

As early as 1668, the nation has united in prayer. Many presidents throughout the history of our nation have implored the citizens of our country to seek God's forgiveness, protection and guidance. In 1952 President Harry Truman made the National Day of Prayer an annual observance stating: "In times of national crisis, when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace...we stand in special need of Divine support."