Saturday, May 2, 1998

Abilenians to join in National Day of Prayer

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Abilenians will join Americans across the country Thursday to observe the 47th annual National Day of Prayer.

The local observance will be from 12:15-12:45 p.m. at Abilene City Hall, North 5th and Walnut. In case of bad weather, it will be held at First Baptist Church, 1333 N. 3rd.

Participants are asked to be at City Hall by 12 for singing prior to the program.

"People will give inspirational talks and prayers," said Lenora Hernandez, local chairperson. "It's about thanking God for the blessings he has given us."

Also on Thursday, a National Day of Prayer observance for area high school students will be held at 7 a.m. at New Life Ministries, 1610 Vine St. The service will include praise and worship music, devotionals, and small group prayer. Doughnuts and juice will be provided.

The Abilene Independent School District will host its fourth annual prayer breakfast for faculty, staff and spouses from 6:15-7:15 a.m. in the Mabee Room of the McMurry University campus center. Cost is $5.

Hernandez and her committee members have been busy mailing letters and fliers to all the churches in Abilene, in hopes of having a good turnout.

Mayor Gary McCaleb will proclaim Thursday as National Day of Prayer in Abilene.

Theme for this year's observance is "America Return to God." It is taken from Joel 2:12-13, when the Lord declares, "Even now, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the lord our God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding ln love, and he relents from sending calamity."

More than 15,000 events are planned nationally. Chairperson of the national campaign is Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family.

"What an honor it is to call America to repentance and prayer," Dobson said. "Our hope is that this year millions of people across the country will catch a glimpse of God's majesty and feel compelled to run to him."

The National Day of Prayer was established by federal law in 1952 when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution which was signed by President Harry Truman.

Call Hernandez at 677-8858 for more information on the local observance.