National Day of Prayer held in Plains

On Thursday May 2, 2013 just over 40 people gathered during the noon hour at the Plains City Hall, to pray for our community and nation.

This community prayer was part of the 62nd National Day of Prayer across the nation. Amber, 12 and Krista, 10, Smiley sang the Star-Spangled Banner and My Country Tis of Thee. Their father, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Staff Sgt. Darren Smiley led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Prayer leaders from the community lead the group in praying over the seven centers of prayer which included government, church, military, family, education, media and business.

This was the 19th year that a Plains-Paradise prayer event has been held in conjunction with the National Day of Prayer, according to coordinator Donna Mallery.

National days of prayer have left a vital legacy in America’s history. The first call to prayer came in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming the nation.

In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed a day of “humiliation, fasting and prayer.” During his term in office President Truman signed a joint resolution by Congress declaring an annual National Day of Prayer.

In 1988 President Reagan, permanently established the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer.

The 63rd National Day of Prayer will be on May 1, 2014. The Plains/Paradise community is again invited to participate in the prayer event during the noon hour at the Plains City Hall on that date.