Every year, in the first week of May, a task force of Christians gathers together in celebration of National Prayer Day. The annual event was established in the early 1950s by a joint resolution of members of the U.S. Congress,
Every year, in the first week of May, a task force of Christians gathers together in celebration of National Prayer Day.
The annual event was established in the early 1950s by a joint resolution of members of the U.S. Congress, and has been officially celebrated nationwide ever since.
This year, the celebration here will take place at the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building courtyard below the mayor’s office, a place still known as “the round building,” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Local Kaua‘i coordinator for National Prayer Day, Kerri Crain, said Lihu‘e is a good place to hold the celebration, and is a central location for most people.
“This is a big thing. The mayor made up a proclamation, like he does every year for this, and it’ll be good,” Crain said.
Crain also said celebrating National Prayer Day is a way for residents to follow in the tradition of prayer, and, hopefully, inspire them to make praying a part of their everyday lives.
“That’s one of our goals, to make prayer not just an event, but to have the nation make prayer a lifestyle,” he said.
Once everyone arrives, Crain said they will most likely break up into small groups, and pray at various parts of the building.
In the future, Crain said he hopes to expand the celebration to longer than an hour, and maybe add other dimensions to the event.
Crain also coordinates 24-hour houses of prayer around the island.
For more information on the local celebration, visit www.kauaihop.com. For a history of National Prayer Day, visit www.nationalprayerday.org.
• Lanaly Cabalo, lifestyle writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
