Prayers for community, country on National Prayer Day

Couple prays at Ellis County Courthouse on National Prayer day Thursday. — A couple prays Thursday at the Ellis County Courthouse on National Day of Prayer.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

More than 50 people of all ages gathered in front of the Ellis County Courthouse Thursday to pray as millions across the country did the same.

The 63rd annual National Day of Prayer in Hays was sponsored by the Ellis County Ministerial Alliance.

Each member of the ECMA recited a prayer focused on praying for worldwide and local issues such as education and entrepreneurship.

The participants broke up into groups and followed with their own prayers.

According to the National Day of Prayer website, the event “invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation.” The event was created in 1952 by a resolution of the U.S. Congress, and signed into law by President Harry Truman.

National Prayer Day participants in front of Ellis County Courthouse — National Day of Prayer participants are pictured in front of Ellis County Courthouse.

Since Truman signed the first proclamation, every president has signed a proclamation announcing the first Thursday of May as National Day of Prayer.