National Day Of Prayer

Sonora, CA — Today is the National Day of Prayer.

Locally, a prayer service will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on Joshua Way in Sonora. It will begin at 11am, and is being organized by the Christian Women’s Fellowship of Tuolumne County. A fundraiser lunch will follow. The theme this year is “Pray For America.” The public is invited to attend.

The National Day of Prayer became a federal observance in 1952, and the first proclamation was signed by President Harry Truman.

President Barack Obama issued a National Day of Prayer proclamation this morning, and it mentioned recent tragedies: “On this day, let us remember in our thoughts and prayers all those affected by recent events, such as the Boston Marathon bombings, the Newtown, Connecticut shootings, and the explosion in West, Texas. Let us pray for the police officers, firefighters, and other first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Americans. Let us also pray for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform and their families who serve and sacrifice for our country.”

Today marks the 62nd National Day of Prayer.