Somerset County religious groups will defer to the weather and move the National Day of Prayer observance inside on Thursday, May 5.
Due to the week of rain and predicted rain and chilly temperatures on Thursday the event will move to its alternate location at the Somerville YMCA on the corner of Green and N. Bridge streets. Parking at the YMCA is limited but people can park along Green Street. The starting time is still 6:30 p.m.
People are asked to stop for a few minutes on the 65th National Day of Prayer, which has as its theme “Wake Up America.”
“It says in Isaiah 58:1a to ‘Shout it aloud, do not hold back.Raise your voice like a trumpet,’” said Pastor Wolf.
The goal of The National Day of Prayer Task Force is to bring communities together and pray for our government, education community, military, media, business/industry, church, and youth and families, according to Pastor Tim Wolf, coordinator for Somerset County’s event.
In the recent past, 150 to 200 people from more than a dozen churches in Somerset County have attended.
Along with the prayer there will also be praise/worship music by the Imago Dei band. Those who attend are asked to bring non-perishable food items to stock the pantry of the Somerset Homeless Interim Program (SHIP). An offering will be taken to benefit the Empower Family Success Center, Somerville and to cover event expenses.
Anyone wishing to know what specific items to bring may contact 908-281-9535 or by email at [email protected]. You can follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/NDPSomersetCountyNJ.
In 1952, a joint resolution of the United States Congress was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman declaring an annual National Day of Prayer. However, it was not until President Ronald Reagan amended the law in 1988 that the observance was permanently recognized as the first Thursday of every May.
For a listing of prayer gatherings and more information about the history of the day, visit the national website: http://nationaldayofprayer.org.
