Submitted
Ellis County’s observance of the National Day of Prayer will be Thursday, May 2, inside the ballroom at the VFW, 2106 Vine in Hays.
The local observance will take place from noon to 1 p.m. The purpose of the event is to encourage Americans to “come together as a nation to pray for our nation.”
This year’s theme, based on 2 Samuel 22:29-31, is “Lift up the Word. Light up the world.”
The annual event is sponsored by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance.
Cheryl Glassman of Antonino and Terri Braun of Hays, for the third year in a row, are organizing the event.
Glassman said the decision to move the observance indoors last year proved popular with those in attendance. Because extra chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the crowd of about 150, the decision was made to move the event to the larger ballroom at the VFW this year.
Glassman said she believes the observance is very important because “our country is struggling to see the good, positive things around our nation, states and cities. It is a blessing to have had national leaders who, for many years--and presently-- endorse National Day of Prayer.
“Gathering together, we become one voice, lifting our prayers to God for this beautiful county and the people who make it so. We must work together as we join people throughout the nation in prayer on this special day.”
As in previous years, various members of the community will be offering prayers in specific categories.
As of press time, the Rev. Ben Houchen and Perry Harrison will be praying for the government; U.S. Army Col. Allen Schmidt and U.S. Air Force Capt. John R. Braun will be praying for the military; Cristina Janney and Dawn Carter will be praying for the media; Dr. Andrea M. Stephens and Patty Stull will be praying for business; Brooke Leiker and Ally Crotinger will be praying for education; the Rev. Christine Wagner and the Rev. Troy Miller will be praying for the church; the Rev. Brenda Rodger and Jace and Kynzie Leiker will be praying for the family; and Rick Rajewski, MD, and Jerod M. Grove, MD, will be praying for caregivers.
Returning as emcee will be Patrick McGinnis, owner of Breathe Coffee House. Music will be provided by students from TMP-Marian High School. The Rev. Cana Moore, pastor at Hays Christian Church, will give the benediction.
The National Day of Prayer has a long history. In 1775, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress passed an act establishing an annual day of prayer, which was signed into law by President Harry Truman. In 1988, Congress amended that law and designated the annual observance as the first Thursday in May.