Fayette County residents and other southsiders can join thousands from across the nation when they gather on May 6 for the 48th annual National Day of Prayer.

People from the south side of Atlanta will gather at the Fountain in Fayetteville (Heritage Park) and have a choice of four prayer gatherings.

The Youth Prayer Rally from 7-8 a.m. will be held at the fountain in Heritage Park and will be geared toward youths. Adults are welcome to join in, however. The rally will feature a praise, worship and prayer time with some of the youth in Fayette county expected to give testimonials and lead in prayer.

From 8-9:30 a.m. a prayer breakfast is scheduled at Grace Evangelical Church for elected officials and people from the community. Reservations are required. Call 770-487-0791.

The Noon Prayer Rally from noon until 1 p.m. will be held at the fountain in Heritage Park. Elected officials are invited to join Fayette County residents for a time of praise, worship and prayer focused on church leaders and elected officials.

The Family Prayer Rally from 6- 8 p.m., also at the fountain, will focus on prayer for families. There will be music from 6-6:30 p.m., a prayer vigil from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and other activities from 7:30-8 p.m.

“It is exciting to see God moving so prevalently in Fayette County,” a spokesperson said. “There is a real `revival' going on here. Many churches are joining together interdenominationally to acknowledge their common faith in Jesus and ignore their differences. We see it with the Easter `Jesus Video' mailing, the Houses of Prayer movement, the National Day of Prayer on May 6, and the March for Jesus, scheduled for May 22.”

Over 20,000 prayer events are expected to take place across our nation on May 6, coordinated by 40,000 volunteers. Millions of Americans will participate. These observances will occur in churches, schools, courthouses, prisons and a variety of other locations. One of the most visible gatherings will be held at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., where the National Day of Prayer Task Force will hold a prayer gathering in the Cannon House Office Building.

“In Fayette County, God is drawing his people together in a miraculous way to pray for our hurting nation,” the spokesperson said. “Many different denominations are joining together in unity; Church of God, United Methodist, Charismatic Episcopalian, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptists and more.”

“Our prayers can change the course of history,” added Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer. “If people of faith join together on the National Day of Prayer, I'm convinced our prayers will have a powerful impact on our country.”

On May 5, 1988, the 100th Congress of the United States passed a bill, signed by President Ronald Reagan, to provide for the setting aside the first Thursday in May as the date on which the National Day of Prayer is celebrated. The annual event was established by an act of Congress and President Truman in 1952, but did not gain momentum until a specific day was set aside to observe it.

On May 6, Fayette County takes the next step by establishing a community wide prayer meeting the first Thursday of every month. This community prayer gathering is for all people of all denominations.

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