On Thursday, May 6, people will gather across the nation in over 60,000 local community events to pray as part of the nation’s 70th observance of the National Day of Prayer (NDP).

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance designated by the US Congress. The President traditionally signs a proclamation encouraging Americans who pray to do so together that day.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force — an American evangelical conservative Christian nonprofit organization unaffiliated with the sanctioned observation — organizes evangelical Christian observances each year on the National Day of Prayer.

The task force is again hosting its local observance of the National Day of Prayer. This year’s event will be held at Fairfield Hills. Local organizers will be setting up in the flagpole grove on Keating Farms Avenue from 7 to 8 pm, with a music prelude at 6:30 pm.

This is an open air event. Those attending should bring their own lawn chairs and practice prudent social distancing. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street.

This is an opportunity to pray with others in Newtown and in concert with millions across the nation. All are welcome.

This year’s NDP Task Force theme is “Lord, Pour out Your Love Life and Liberty,” which comes from 2 Corinthians 3:17 (“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”).

A key part of the evening is the active participation by all attending, who will break into smaller groups to pray specifically for concerns of the nation and the community. NDP Task Force events have had groups praying for the government at the local, state, and federal levels; the military, media, business, education, church, and family.

The National Day of Prayer dates back to a proclamation of the Continental Congress in 1775 to set aside a day for fasting and prayer. Congress established an annual day of prayer into law in 1952 and in 1988 it was designated as the first Thursday in May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation.

The NDP Task Force was formed in 1983. Its mission, according to its website, is “to mobilize unified public and personal prayer for America.”

For those unable to attend the Newtown event, there will be a livestreamed broadcast of the national NDP Task Force event at nationaldayofprayer.org that evening from 8 to 10 pm.

For more information call or text Bob Andrejczyk at 203-668-1175.