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National day of prayer service

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XENIA — A National Day of Prayer observance is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1204 W. Second St. The one-hour service is led by laypersons from local churches.

Jill Drake Basler, a Xenia resident and lifelong member of Xenia Nazarene, is the volunteer coordinator of the event. She said, “As I considered this special day set aside for our nation to cry out to God for His forgiveness, His help, and His blessings, I asked my pastor if we could put together a worship service and invite the community to gather with us for prayer.”

Basler has recruited several community leaders, including government officials, military veterans, ministers, business people, and service professionals, to offer prayers for various segments of our society. The service will be an hour of worship with scripture readings and prayers interspersed, lifting up needs in the areas of education, military, government, social justice, and religion.

The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988 the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed by President Ronald Reagan designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

According to the Rev. Mark Atherton, lead pastor at Xenia Nazarene, “We are pleased to open our sanctuary for this community-wide service observing the National Day of Prayer. It is good when God’s people meet in unity to honor Him and seek His face. We invite our friends and neighbors to attend.”

Associate Pastor Mike Hancock will open the service with a welcome and the NDP Prayer for America. The service will continue as those in attendance are guided to focus on the various areas of need as prayers are offered.

Rev. Hancock said, “This is just an hour to gather in unity and look to Almighty God for His help and blessing on our lives, our families and homes, our community, our nation, and our world which so desperately needs His guidance. Join us for this special event.”

The service is free and open to the public.