Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – On May 2nd, folks in the Orange Beach community and surrounding areas are invited to gather at the Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach to observe the National Day of Prayer. The annual event starts at noon and everyone is welcome. 

Local church leaders will guide prayers on the Center's shaded lawn.

Days of prayer have a long history in America, dating back to the colonial era when settlers would declare days of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving during times of crisis or hardship.

According to Wikipedia, "The observance of a day of fasting and prayer was brought to all of the colonists by the Continental Congress in 1775. Congress issued a proclamation recommending "a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer" be observed by the "English Colonies" on Thursday, July 20, 1775."

The National Day of Prayer was established by Congress in 1952 and was first signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, it was permanently set as the first Thursday of May by both the Senate and the House, with President Ronald Reagan signing the amendment. Since its inception, each president has upheld the tradition by signing a yearly proclamation.

Prayer, spirituality and religious faith have played important roles throughout American history, influencing social movements, government decisions, and the lives of individual citizens. The national day of prayer is a way to recognize this enduring influence of religion in American culture.

The event promotes unity and reflection across the community through shared prayers led by local spiritual leaders.

Click here for more on the National Day of Prayer from Wikipedia.