National Day of Prayer ceremony to include speaker

In the nearly 15 months since the war in Iraq broke out, barely a day has gone by that some area church member or devoted believer hasn't prayed for someone serving in the military.

A group has been gathering at Mount Auburn Christian Church to pray for families and friends in the military on the first Monday evening of each month. In March, there were 62 people who came to pray but the numbers had nearly doubled by April's gathering.

People all across the country will gather for prayer May 6 in observance of the National Day of Prayer. A mayors' prayer breakfast is being planned as part of the Cape Girardeau observance.

The breakfast will be from 6:45 to 8 a.m. at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. The theme for the year's National Day of Prayer is "Let Freedom Ring." Lawyer, author and syndicated columnist David Limbaugh will be the guest speaker and music will be provided by the music ministry of Cape First Church. Tickets are $10 per person or available in tables of eight.

In Jackson, a noontime community service will be at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, but isn't going to follow the national theme for the Day of Prayer. The service is sponsored by the community's Ministerial Alliance.

Day of remembranceThe National Day of Prayer falls on the one-year anniversary of the tornado that struck Jackson, so the service is more of a thanksgiving and remembrance time, said the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, pastor of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson.

Pastors from the three churches in the path of the storm -- Emanuel, Immaculate Conception and First Presbyterian -- will each read a meditation from the Psalms and offer prayers.

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander will be at the service, which is expected to last about 40 minutes.