ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR DAY OF PRAYER

Finding a speaker for a community event sounds like it might be a difficult task, but Sherri Mehner put a lot of prayer and consideration into the work.

Mehner and a committee have worked for weeks to coordinate the activities for National Day of Prayer May 4. Events are planned in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, including prayer services held each night at 7 in Cape Girardeau. The services are sponsored by several area churches.

The highlights of the week will be the Mayors' Prayer Breakfast at 6:30 and a noon service at the steps of the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson.

Speaker for the breakfast is Dr. Dan Steska, superintendent of Cape Girardeau Public Schools.

"We have wonderful Christian leaders in our community," Mehner said. "It's important that we honor them and give them an opportunity to speak."

Last year's event drew more than 700 people who heard syndicated columnist and Cape Girardeau lawyer David Limbaugh speak. The event was moved to the Osage Community Centre to accommodate more people.

Tickets are $5 a person or $40 for a table of eight. Sales end Thursday.

For tickets, send payment to Mayors' Prayer Breakfast, 2845 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63703 and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that tickets can be returned to you.

Mehner said many people aren't concerned about who is speaking at the breakfast but like to gather for prayer. All people, regardless of Christian denomination or religious affiliation can pray together and feel comfortable, she said.

The theme for the event is "Pray 2K: America's hope for a new millennium."

The National Day of Prayer was established by Congress in 1952. In 1988, the observance was set as the first Thursday in May. Events are planned all across the country at state capitals, city halls and other places where people will gather to pray for local, state and national leaders.