The 70th Annual National Day of Prayer will be celebrated in person this year in Owensboro. The event is scheduled for May 6 at the Daviess County Courthouse.
After holding last year’s Owensboro National Day of Prayer (ONDP) event virtually spokesperson Jo Barron said the declining number of COVID-19 cases and the rollout of vaccinations provided a better outlook for this year’s event.
The NDP was signed into law in 1952 and represents a Judeo-Christian expression of national observance.
Held on the first Thursday in May each year, the NDP communicates the need for personal repentance and prayer by mobilizing the Christian community to pray for America’s leaders and its families.
“There is a pent-up need and desire for the body of Christ to come together to pray corporately,” Barron said.
Officials at the Daviess County Courthouse gave Barron the OK to hold the ONDP in-person, as long as everyone stays six feet apart and wears face masks, Barron said.
Barron said the ONDP event is separated into two segments. From 11:30-11:50 a.m., people of all ages quietly read aloud pre-assigned verses from the Bible. By the end of that 20 minutes, the entire Bible will have been read aloud.
Barron encouraged attendees to bring their Bible and pick up their scripture starting point at the base of the flagpole just before the event begins.
A prayer and worship service will be held at the courthouse from 11:50 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Participants are from Owensboro, various parts of the U.S. and outside the U.S.,” Barron said.
To commemorate its 70th anniversary, Barron said the ONDP would be implementing a new addition this year. During March and April, the group will be posting a two-minute teaching on a prayer-focused Bible verse on its Facebook every Friday.
Those interested can check out the ONDP’s Facebook page for more details and information.
