National Day of Prayer represents blessing reminder

By Jonathan StinsonMay 5, 2022

Charles Lahmon will participate in Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Prayer Breakfast at the Jackson Center on Thursday at 7:30 a.m.
Charles Lahmon will participate in Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Prayer Breakfast at the Jackson Center on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. (Photo Credit: Eric Schultz) VIEW ORIGINAL

On May 5, the National Day of Prayer is marking its 70th year.

“For me, the National Day of Prayer is a reminder that we should never stop praying,” Lt. Col. Charles Lahmon, Garrison chaplain, said. “We should make it our practice to pray together, both in good and bad times.

“In a real way, the National Day of Prayer re-centers us on prayer. It has the potential to shape the direction we take for the rest of the year.”

Lahmon will participate in the Huntsville, Madison, Madison County Prayer Breakfast at the Jackson Center on Thursday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. For more information contact Leadership Greater Huntsville or visit: https://members.leadershiphsv.org/eventcalendar/Details/huntsville-madison-madison-county-prayer-breakfast-601923?sourceTypeId=Website.

Days of prayer in the U.S. have been called for since 1775 when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.

The practice of U.S. presidents calling for the nation to pray, fast, reflect on humility and give thanks, dates back to 1798, and every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation after President Harry S. Truman signed a bill into law that year establishing a National Day of Prayer.

The law was amended in 1988 to designate the first Thursday in May as the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer.

Participation in the National Day of Prayer is voluntary.

Local National Day of Prayer events (source: nationaldayofprayer.org) include the following:

Athens

National Day of Prayer event

Limestone County Courthouse lawn

200 W Washington St., Athens

Noon-12:30 p.m.

Athens Limestone Ministerial Alliance will host the annual community event as local Christian leaders pray in unity with residents. All are invited.

Huntsville

FBC’s National Day of Prayer observance

First Baptist Church

600 Governors Drive, Huntsville

Noon-1 p.m.

Meet in the chapel to pray for our nation, families, church and church staff, neighborhood businesses, education, military, government and the media.

Huntsville/Madison County National Day of Prayer gathering

Monte Sano Baptist Church

605 Monte Sano Boulevard, Huntsville

6:15-7:45 p.m.

Attendees will gather at the parking lot of the Monte Sano Baptist Church then carpool to a host’s home on top of the mountain, where parking is limited. Dress warm as they will be standing outside on a windy hill overlooking the city. Bring a lawn chair if standing over an hour would be difficult for you. If the weather is too cold or rainy, Monte Sano Baptist has given permission to hold the event inside the church.