The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
The mission of the National Day of Prayer “is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture,” reads the website of the National Day of Prayer task force.
The privately funded task force works to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. “The task force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible,” the website reads.
Because of the faith of many of our founding fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a long-standing and significant history in American tradition, the site continues. The first call to prayer was made in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation.
Several events in observance of the National Day of Prayer are planned for the region.
BELLA VISTA
The Presbyterian Church of Bella Vista will host the Mayor’s Prayer breakfast for Peter A. Christie at 7 a.m. Thursday in the church’s fellowship hall, 1880 Forrest Hills Blvd. Tickets are $5. Christie will speak along with others. Tickets can be purchased at the church. Information: (479) 855-2390, pcbv.org.
BENTONVILLE
The Bentonville Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast with Mayor Bob Mc-Caslin will be at 6:30 a.m. Thursday at Four Points Sheraton, 211 S.E. Walton Blvd. The speaker will be Matt Crafton, president and chief executive officer, of Crafton Tull design and engineering firm. Tickets are $12 or $100 for a table of 10 and available through the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce. Information:
(479) 273-2841, greater bentoville.com/events.
FAYETTEVILLE
Butterfield Trail Village in Fayetteville will host a prayer meeting in observance of the National Day of Prayer from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday in the convention room of the community, 1923 E. Joyce Blvd. The meeting will feature hymns and prayer for leadership in the country. The meeting is open to Butterfield Trail Village residents and visitors, but parking is limited due to construction. Information:
(479) 521-1333.
ROGERS
Cross Church at Pinnacle Hills, 2448 S. Pinnacle Hills Pwky. in Rogers, will host the Rogers mayor’s prayer breakfast for Greg Hines from 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. Thursday. The keynote speaker for the event will be Marty Burlsworth, brother of Arkansas Razorback and All-American football player, Brandon Burlsworth, and chairman of the Brandon Burlsworth Foundation. The event also will include fellowship and inspirational music, as well as prayer led by community members. Tickets are $12 each, and event sponsorships start at $300. Information: rogers prayerbreakfast.com.
SILOAM SPRINGS
Siloam Springs Mayor John Turner will present a proclamation for prayer during a meeting at noon Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, 302 N. Maxwell St. in Siloam Springs. The service, sponsored by the Siloam Springs Ministerial Alliance, also will include prayer led by members of the community. If the weather permits, the service will take place on the church lawn. The event is free. Information: (479) 534-5935.
SPRINGDALE
Cross Church at Springdale will host the mayor’s prayer breakfast for Doug Sprouse from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. Thursday. The Rev. Brent Fairchild, chaplain for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the mayor’s office, the Springdale Chamber of Commerce and The Jones Center. All proceeds will go to purchase of defibrillators for Arkansas Children’s Hospital-Northwest. Information: (479) 757-8523, rharriman@arvest.com.
VAN BUREN
Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman will host a prayer day luncheon from 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m. July 11 in the Commons at Van Buren High School, 2001 Pointer Trail. Walt Coleman III, National Football League referee and family operator of Hiland Dairy in Little Rock, will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $15 and available at Swaim Office Products, Joseph Rhodes State Farm and the Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren. Table sponsorships, which include seating for six and signage, are $200. Proceeds from the luncheon will support the Kiwanis club and its efforts to promote character and leadership skills with the K-Kids programs. Information: Swaim Office Products,
(479) 474-3632.
SEBASTIAN COUNTY
Sebastian County Judge David Hudson will host the annual day of prayer for National Prayer Day at noon on the Sebastian County Courthouse lawn, 35 S. Sixth St. in Fort Smith. The event will feature speakers from local churches and the community, as well as song. The event is free. Information: Sebastain County Judge’s office, (479) 783-6139.
BOONEVILLE
First Western Bank in Booneville will cohost the 14th annual mayor’s prayer breakfast with Booneville Mayor Jerry Wilbanks at 6:30 a.m. Thursday in the Family Life Central building at First Baptist Church, 382 Kennedy Ave. in Booneville. This year’s program will include a large breakfast and a 45-minute program with prayers and talks led by the mayor, Robert Herrera of First Western Bank, Rick Scott of the Boys and Girls Club of Logan County and local ministers. The kid’s choir also will sing. Tickets are $10, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Logan County. Information: First Western Bank,
(479) 675-3000.