MADISON – Mayor Paul Finley presented a proclamation Monday night declaring May 2 as National Day of Prayer in Madison. “This will be the 68th observance of the National Day of Prayer,” Finley said. “The theme will be ‘Pray for America: Love One Another’ based on John 13:34, ‘Love one another just as I have loved you.”

A National Day of Prayer has been part of America’s heritage since it was declared by the First Continental Congress in 1775 and the United States Congress. In 1952, a joint resolution of Congress officially approved the National Day of Prayer and it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

In 1988, the law was amended designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer.

It was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 1988.

The resolution signed Monday at the Madison City Council meeting, stated, “Leaders and citizens of our communities, cities and states and nation are afforded the privilege of prayer with the joy of seeking divine guidance, strength, protection and comfort from Almighty God.

“Recognizing the love of God, and treasuring the freedom to gather, exercising reliance on God’s power in the face of present challenges and threats, we ask for His blessing on every individual of our city.”

President Donald Trump and Gov. Kay Ivey have already proclaimed May 2 as the National Day of Prayer for the nation and state.

A county-wide observance will be held for Madison County on the steps of the courthouse in Huntsville. It will begin at noon. The observance will last one hour, and will be led by local pastors and prayer leaders.

A similar observance will be held on the steps of the Limestone County Courthouse in Athens, starting at noon.

“We are very grateful to the Lord to be able to have this opportunity to come and pray for our nation and to love one another. We desperately need it,” said Tammy Steinberg, one of the organizers for the National Day of Prayer observance at the Madison County Courthouse. She accepted the proclamation from Mayor Finley.

For more information on other area observances, go to www.nationaldayofprayer.org.