On April 17, 1952, Mr. Conrad Hilton of Hilton Hotels and Senator Frank Carlson of Kansas initiated a bill that was passed by the President of the United States to set aside an appropriate day each year, other than Sunday, to hold a National Day of Prayer.

This year, that National Day of Prayer is set aside for this Thursday with events scheduled in both Middlesboro and Pineville.

In Pineville, the day will also be observed at noon and will be held in the second floor courtroom in the old courthouse. Local ministers, business and community leaders and other dignitaries will lead in prayer.

In Middlesboro, National Day of Prayer will be observed in the Middlesboro City Parking Lot at noon with Middlesboro Mayor Rick Nelson opening the program.

Other guests for the event include:

• Color Guard – U.S. Army Jr. ROTC;

• Pledge to the American Flag – Harvey Johnson;

• U.S. National Anthem – Thomasa Risner;

• Prayer for Repentance – Sam Wansley;

• Prayer for Church – Matt Black;

• Prayer for Government – Karen Greene Blondell;

• Prayer for Strongholds and Addictions – Mark Elkins;

• Prayer for Youth – Will Devours;

• Prayer for Education – Gary Bingham;

• Prayer for Community and First Responders – Steve Capps;

• Prayer for Business – Bruce Walzer;

• Prayer for Family – Lovie Stallworth;

• Prayer for National & Military – Roy Asher;

• Prayer for Environment – Steve Roark;

Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

The first observance was held in 1983 and was organized at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. with featured speakers Vice President George Bush and Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie.

In 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 1988. This amendment designated the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer.

The theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer is “Love One Another,” and it comes from John 13:34 which states, “Love one another. Just as I have loved you.”

The public is invited to attend both National Day of Prayer observances at either Middlesboro City Parking Lot or the Bell County Courthouse.