AREA PLANS EVENTS FOR PRAYER DAY

People of all faiths will gather May 1 in parks and gymnasiums and churches in both Cape Girardeau and Scott counties.

They will be there to pray for the well-being of the country during the National Day of Prayer.

In Cape Girardeau, two communitywide events will be held May 1.

At 11:30 a.m., a prayer service will be held on the Cape Girardeau City Hall steps. From 7 to 8:30 p.m., a prayer service will be held at Cape Central High School. Community leaders will lead prayers at both services.

"In Cape, believers will unite in prayer to honor God by interceding for our leaders, thanking Him for His blessings and asking for forgiveness and guidance," said Sherri Mehner, local coordinator.

This year's theme is "In God We Trust."

Mehner said: "It reflects America's spiritual heritage. Turning to God is still the only solution to the problems we face today in our government, schools, neighborhoods and families."

The annual National Day of Prayer was established by federal law in 1952 when the United States Congress passed a joint resolution, signed by President Harry Truman.

The law was amended in 1988 and signed by President Ronald Reagan, designating the first Thursday in May as the official National Day of Prayer.

In 1995, the day was first recognized by governors in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Among other Cape Girardeau prayer services, which are open to the public:

-- At 6:30 a.m., a service will be held at Hanover Lutheran Church.

-- At 6:30 a.m. and at 5:15 p.m., services will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

-- At 7 a.m., Cornerstone Church will hold a breakfast service and will be matching churches with community officials whom they will pray for throughout the year.

-- At 7:15 a.m., a service will be held at Mid-America Teen Challenge.

-- At 12:15 p.m., a service will be held at LaCroix United Methodist Church.

-- At 2 p.m., a service will be held at the St. Francis Medical Center cafeteria.

-- At 7 p.m., a service will be held at Second Missionary Baptist Church.

In Chaffee, the First Baptist Church will be open all day for anyone who wants to come in and pray.

In Benton a National Day of Prayer Rally will be 7 p.m. at Murray Lane Baptist Church, 807 W. Murray Lane.

Brother Tom Geers will be presenting the message. That will be followed by a "Human Video" from The First Assembly of God Church. Darrell and Teresa Griggs, of Miner Baptist Church, will have a presentation as well as Greer Chapel Choir out of Sikeston.

In Oran, a Community Prayer Service will start at 7:30 p.m. at Life Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church. The event will be sponsored by The First Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist, Life Tabernacle and Guardian Angel Catholic Church.

The Rev. Gary Teague, Life Tabernacle's pastor, will be presenting the service.

Doris Eftink, an organizer of Oran's fourth observance of National Prayer Day, said there are many ways people can participate.

They can pray for other drivers on the road; gather with fellow employees for a prayer during lunch; visit a nursing home and pray with them; or display red, white and blue ribbons and tell people you are praying for the country.