Two local events are planned on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 6.
The first is a service at 7 a.m. at Cornerstone Community Church, 1 Cedar Grove Lane, Grand Marais with a light breakfast following the service. Then at noon, the public is invited to gather for prayer on the Cook County Courthouse south steps. Call Cornerstone Community Church at 387-2090 for more information.
Theidea of an annual National Day of Prayer was introduced by the Rev. Billy Graham, who suggested it in the midst of a several-weeks crusade in the nation’s capitol. Members of the House and Senate introduced a joint resolution for an annual 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.”
On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each following president at an appropriate date of his choice. In 1982 a National Prayer Committee formed to coordinate and implement a fixed commemorated day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May. A stated intention of the National Day of Prayer was that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer.
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