Churches unite for National Day of Prayer on Thursday

Cape Girardeau, Scott City and Jackson area churches expect hundreds of people of all faiths to unite Thursday for the National Day of Prayer.

The Day of Prayer begins at 6 a.m. with breakfast at Cape First and prayer, followed by noon prayer at Jackson First Baptist and an evening prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The Ministerial Alliance in Scott City is sponsoring a short noon prayer meeting at the Scott City courthouse on Main Street.

Several local pastors will offer prayer.

The Community Day of Prayer will focus on prayer for military, but will include prayers for families, children, government and media. This year's national theme is "America, Unite in Prayer."

The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 as a Judeo-Christian expression of belief that America was born in prayer and founded in a relationship with God. Congress passed a joint resolution establishing it, and President Harry S. Truman signed the resolution into law.

People with other theological and philosophical views are free to organize and participate in activities that are consistent with their own beliefs, according to the Day of Prayer's official Web site. This diversity is what Congress intended when it designated the Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for the nation would be encouraged to do so in any way deemed appropriate, according to the Web site.

The breakfast and prayer services are free.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160