Thursday, May 5, will be the nation's 65th observance of the National Day of Prayer.kingshep58-1@yahoo.com.

A Christian observance of the 2016 National Day of Prayer will be held Thursday, May 5, in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street. The program will start with music at 6:30 pm, followed by prayers for the nation and community from 7 to 8.

All are welcome who would like to pray together for the nation and community in a biblical context.

The theme for 2016 is "Wake Up America," emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to realize their need to return to God and follow his ways. The theme is based on Isaiah 58 ("Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.").

A key part of the evening is the active participation by those attending, who break into smaller groups to pray together for the concerns of the nation and the community.

This will be preceded by a time of traditional and contemporary worship music provided by Newtown area musicians and an opening exhortation to prayer. There will be scripture reading and prayer for seven key areas that influence the life and direction of the nation: government, church, military, family, education, media, and business.

The National Day of Prayer dates back to 1775, when the Continental Congress made a proclamation to set aside a day for prayer on behalf of the nation. Congress established an annual day of prayer in 1952 and that law was amended in 1988, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May. It encourages the people of this nation to unite in prayer for the nation one day each year, each in accordance with their own faith.

The evening is being coordinated by a small group of Newtown residents from various area churches. It is planned using the themes and guidelines of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, whose mission is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.

As of April 26, there were 65 NDP events scheduled to take place this year in Connecticut.

For additional information contact Bob Andrejczyk at 203-270-1888 or

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