Rain didn’t wash away blessings or prevent people from attending a local opportunity to join the nation in prayer.
On Thursday, May 5, Oasis Church hosted the city’s celebration of the National Day of Prayer May 5 in Heritage Square. This year’s theme was ”Exalt the Lord who has established us.”
“All over this nation, there are people together with us praying right now at this precise moment,” said Mary Flores, Oasis Church pastor. “It is a beautiful thing where we come together in one accord.”
The event featured community leaders and pastors praying in the seven centers of influence in America which include business, church, military, family, government, media and education. Jeff Ripple spoke for the influence of church, George Qualley spoke for government, Theresa Pore for education, Jimmy Hinstroza on workplace, Johnny Spence for military and Shane Allen for arts, media and entertainment. Ruth Diaz and Javier Diaz performed songs on stage at the amphitheater.
“We continue to pray for our families, continue to pray for our community, our country, our nation and every single fellow in our country,” said Flores.
In 1775, the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. Over the years, there have been calls for a day of prayer, including from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law in the United States. President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.
The National Prayer Committee was formed in the United States in 1972. It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer. According to the Legal Information Institute, the President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
