National Day of Prayer event set
(DAILY BEE FILE PHOTO/Caroline Lobsinger) Latoya Genay Wolf raises her hands in praise while listening to a worship song at the community's National Day of Prayer event in 2016. Several hundred residents from throughout the region attending the annual event.
(DAILY BEE FILE PHOTO/Caroline Lobsinger) Joy Sinclair and Betty Record raise their hands in worship as they sing along with a hymn at at the 2016 National Day of Prayer event at Farmin Park.
(DAILY BEE FILE PHOTO/Caroline Lobsinger) Naomi Long reads a passage in her Bible as she listens to a speaker during the 2016 National Day of Prayer event at Farmin Park in Sandpoint.
(DAILY BEE FILE PHOTO/Caroline Lobsinger) Georgia Dawson closes her eyes in prayer at the 2016 National Day of Prayer event in Sandpoint. Several hundred people attended the annual event at Farmin Park.
SANDPOINT — In Sandpoint and in tens of thousands of other communities, prayer events are planned across the country on Thursday in honor of the 66th annual National Day of Prayer.
In churches, parks and on the courthouse steps, citizens will be praying for the nation, government leaders, media, military, schools, churches, business and families. Many Sandpoint area churches are participating in the National Day of Prayer and the community-wide event at Farmin Park. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with music and the National Day of Prayer observance will begin at noon.
The event will include an introduction by area pastors, music, the Armed Forces Color Guard, and prayer for the state and nation. It is a great time of unity among the churches.
This year, organizers said they will continue their Adopt-a-Cop program, where they will ask residents to “adopt” a local police officer or deputy and pray for them regularly.
“We want to show our extreme gratitude to our law enforcement for the work they do to keep us safe every day,” said one of the organizers, Janine Shepard. “If you are in law enforcement or know anyone who is, please invite them to this event so we can pray and bless them. There will be an opportunity to sign up to pray for them at the event.”
At this crucial time for the nation, organizers said the community can do nothing more important than pray.
“Thank you in advance for making this spiritual discipline a personal priority and for standing with us as we encourage others to incorporate prayer in their lives,” Shepard said. “The Lord has graciously anointed our efforts, empowering them to touch and change many hearts and lives. We look forward to seeing His hand move across our land in exciting ways each May in response to our petitions.”
The theme this year is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us ... Forgive Us ... Heal Us,” which is inspired by Daniel 9:19.
Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952. The observance is currently held the first Thursday each May when all Americans are encouraged to exercise their religious freedom by gathering publicly to worship and pray for our land.
Information: www.nationaldayofprayer.org or www.bonnercountyprayer.com