National Day of Prayer events to focus on 'unity,' 'fellowship'

The National Day of Prayer � established by Congress in 1952 � is Thursday and events over two days will emphasize unifying people of all races to take time to engage in public prayer for the United States, organizers say.

The Power of Praying Women prayer breakfast will be held at 6 a.m. today at Ray�s Plaza Banquet Center, 3257 William St. in Cape Girardeau, and a collaborative, four-church event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at La Croix Church, 3102 Lexington Ave. in Cape Girardeau, to commemorate the national day.

Terry Crowell, one of the original organizers for the annual Power of Praying Women planning committee, said this year�s prayer breakfast is a diverse mixture of 14 area churches from all denominations.

�The various churches reach out to the women in their churches, neighbors and in the community,� Crowell said. �The cost of the ticket helps sponsor the event as well as provide the food for the breakfast.�

Crowell said the churches involved represent a �cross-section� of small and large churches, along with �every faith� within this area.

She said the event is �very diversified� with the youngest member of the planning committee being in her mid-20s and the oldest in her mid-80s.

�There are 15 women that are on the planning committee, and we already have it planned for next year,� she said.

Crowell said there would be representation from �probably five different churches� featured as part of the event�s worship band today, during the breakfast.

Crowell said the event�s focus will be �it�s what direction God leads us.�

�We have no preconceived agenda as far as getting together for prayer and fellowship,� she said.

Crowell said tickets for the event are mainly sold by the table, but individual seating is also available.

�We always have between 400 and 500 women,� she said. �This year we were able to add a few more tables, so we still do have a few seats available. Normally, we say you have to make your reservations in advance, but this year we could probably fit a few individuals if they just show up.�

She said breakfast is from 6 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. with the event concluding at 7:35 a.m. �so women who work are hopefully able to get to work by 8 a.m.�

Crowell said each year they aim to acquire a different speaker for the breakfast.

She said the first year, the guest speakers were two local women; the second year Southeast Missouri State University�s women�s basketball coach; last year the guest speaker was a Southeast graduate from Florida.

This year�s speaker � Susie Shellenberger � is originally from Oklahoma and was the former editor of Brio magazine for Focus on the Family.

Crowell said today�s event is �not for any one person,� but it is open for the community.

�If folks are not able to come this year, certainly try to put it on the calendar for next year,� she said. �Our event is always the first Wednesday in May, and that�s to get us as close as possible to the National Day of Prayer.�

Crowell said the event began with a group of about five women, then soon after expanded to include other churches because she didn�t want it to be affiliated with �just a couple of churches� in the area.

La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau also will host an event to observe the National Day of Prayer. It will partner with Lynwood Baptist Church, Cape First Church and Cape Bible Chapel for a community time of prayer at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Pastor Ron Watts of La Croix Church said Thursday�s event is scheduled for the evening this year in an effort to make it more convenient for all those who attend and the event has �been going on for quite a few years.�

�We take turns hosting it, so this year it�s La Croix�s turn,� Watts said. �We had it at Cape First last year.�

Watts said the senior pastors from each of the four churches will lead in prayer and the worship leaders from the churches will lead in song Thursday.

�The national theme is �unity,� and we�re following that theme as well,� he said.

Tickets for the Power of Praying Women Prayer Breakfast may be purchased for $12 until the start of the event at 6 a.m. today.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632

Pertinent address:

3257 William St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

3102 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, Mo.