SUMMERDALE, Alabama — After National Day of Prayer observances were modified or cancelled last year because of COVID-19, in person services are once again being planned for Thursday, May 6 in the central and north Baldwin areas.
According to its website, nationaldayofprayer.org, the National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863.
In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Harry S Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Ronald Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
Nationally, this year’s theme is “Lord Pour Out Your Liberty” based on 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
After hosting last year’s Day of Prayer events virtually, the city of Bay Minette and Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will both host in-person events this year.
Bay Minette
The Seventh Annual National Day of Prayer observance in Bay Minette will be held beginning at 8 a.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
Guest speakers will include the Rev. Bruce Hooks, with the Abundant Life Christian Center; and the Rev. Marty Hamilton, with the First United Methodist Church. Music will be provided by the Rev. Ben Reece of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
A service will also be held at noon at the gazebo in front of the Baldwin County Courthouse in Bay Minette.
Central Baldwin Chamber
The Central Baldwin Chamber will present the 17th Annual Prayer Breakfast at the Baldwin County Coliseum, 19477 Fairground Road in Robertsdale.
This year's theme is "My GRACE Is Sufficient For You," based on 2 Corinthians 12:19. Breakfast will be served beginning at 6:30, and the program will start at 7 a.m.
The keynote speaker is Kerry Stevenson, M.Ed. Stevenson was born and raised in Birmingham and graduated college at Alabama A&M University with a Master's degree in math education.
He was head coach at Vigor High School for 10 years in the early 2000s. He would teach and coach for over 20 years before being selected by Coach Nick Saban at the University of Alabama, where he served as Director of Player Development.
After serving in Tuscaloosa for six years, Stevenson moved to the University of Tennessee alongside his friend, Coach Jeremy Pruitt, where he served as their Director of Player Development. He is currently vice president at Miles College in Birmingham. Stevenson also serves as "Life Coach" for the Alabaster City Schools.
“The prayer breakfast is a unique opportunity for community leaders, elected officials, residents, and individuals from all faiths to assemble and pray together,” said Chamber President/CEO Gail Quezada.
Tickets are $25 each and $185 for a table of eight and can be purchased online at centralbaldwin.com/make-a-payment/, by email bbutler@centralbaldwin.com, by calling 251-947-2626, or in person at the Chamber located at 23150 Highway 59, Robertsdale.
Current event sponsors are: Diamond: Baldwin EMC, Riviera Utilities, Terry Thompson Chevrolet; Gold: Baldwin County Cattle & Fair and Power Productions; Silver: Citizens’ Bank, Johnson, Slaughter, Driver & Northcutt P.A., Youth-Reach Gulf Coast; Bronze: Advantage Business Solutions, Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Stastka Insurance Agency, Inc., Town of Silverhill, and Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency.
Summerdale
After cancelling last year’s event because of COVID-19, the 29th Annual Day of Prayer in Summerdale will be held at noon at the Summerdale Municipal Complex, located at 502 W. Lee St., a half-block east of Alabama 59 in Summerdale.
The speaker for this prayer event is J.P. Wilson, pastor of Summit Church in Foley.
A complimentary lunch will be provided following the prayer event.
For more information, contact John Schell at 251-979-8500 or email him at harvest@gmail.com.
