The 2024 National Day of Prayer will be Thursday, May 2.

Both the City of Middlesboro and City of Pineville will be holding special services in observance of this day. Local ministers, business and community leaders and other dignitaries

will lead prayers for our nation.

President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a National Day of Prayer to be observed on July 4, 1952, as a day set aside for Americans to give thanks, in accordance with their own faith, for our freedoms and blessings. President Ronald Reagan moved the observance to the first Thursday in May in 1988.

This year’s theme is “Lift Up the Word — Light Up the World.” It’s based on the Bible verse 2 Samuel 22:29-31: For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—His way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

The Middlesboro event will be at noon at the City Parking Lot and is organized by co-chairs Micheline Carey and Jean Roark.

“It means a lot to come out as a community united as one to thank God for all He has done for our community and country, if ever our world needs divine intervention and help, it is now,” Roark said. “Everyone please  come and join us.“Please join us for this special time together as we lift our heart in prayer for God’s wisdom and guidance for our world, our nation, and community.”

The Pineville event will be at noon in the Old Bell County Courthouse in the second floor courtroom. Debbie Gambrel, from the Pineville organizing committee said Judge-Executive Albey Brock and Mayor Scott Madon will be leading their program.

At both services, community members will lead 12 different prayers, including prayers for the military, government, family, law enforcement, education and many more.