Prayer events to be held separately Thursday in Cape Girardeau, Jackson

Across the country Thursday people will gather to pray and reflect on the past year's numerous natural disasters in observation of the National Day of Prayer.

Hurricane Katrina survivor and new member of the community, Felix Lewis, will share his personal testimony at the annual mayor's prayer breakfast held in Cape Girardeau. The breakfast will be from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. at LaCroix United Methodist Church.

Lewis is employed at the Cape Area Family Resource Center and works with underprivileged youth.

The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "America, Honor God -- A Celebration and Call to Unity." The breakfast will focus on giving thanks for the opportunity to join together in serving victims of local and national disasters, said Dr. Dan Steska, chairman of the event.

There will be no charge for the breakfast and free-will donations will be collected. All donations will support local efforts to provide emergency relief services through the American Red Cross Chapter of Southeast Missouri and the Salvation Army.

Steska said this year's emphasis is to involve more people in the community. No advance reservations are required.

The event generally draws between 500 to 700 people.

The breakfast was initiated years ago by mayors of Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Steska said. "It's just an opportunity to give thanks to God for his blessings and pray for national and state leadership," he said.

Radio station KGUT 1170 AM will broadcast the event live. Area churches are providing food and entertainment.

Both Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson and Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said the breakfast is an opportunity for community members to join together and worship freely.

In addition to the Cape Girardeau National Day of Prayer program, Jackson's Ministerial Alliance will host a prayer service from 12:10 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Jackson.

The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, pastor of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, said the Ministerial Alliance wanted to provide a service during lunch for those who are unable to attend the mayor's prayer breakfast in the morning.

"This way we will have something in both cities. Everyone from Cape and Jackson are invited to attend," Rothemeyer said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

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