Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
(KSL News) Today is the 55th annual National Day of Prayer, a time designated by Congress to remember and worship God.
Millions of Americans, including President Bush and Governor Huntsman, will take part in activites to commemorate the day.
The day was made official by a Presidential proclamation in 1952, but the first day of prayer was called in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked Americans to pray for the forming of the country.
- Salt Lake County Courthouse, 400 S. State, 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring music and prayer for a variety of public issues.
- Park City buffet breakfast at the Yarrow Hotel, 1800 Park Avenue, 7:30 to 9 a.m., featuring Olympic medalist Derek Parra as the keynote speaker. Cost is $10 at the door.
- Orem City Offices, State Street and Center, around the flagpoles in front of the buildings from 7 to 8 p.m.
- Ogden Municipal Building steps, 2550 Washington Blvd., 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
- St. George area, picnic dinner and fellowship at Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 East, from 6 to 8 p.m. To date, there has been no resistance to holding the events locally in public venues, the Rev. Johnson said, adding that while evangelicals will lead the prayers, the public is invited to attend. Two celebrations in Provo are being co-sponsored by Utah Valley State College's Interfaith Student Association and the Utah Valley Interfaith Association, which represents 40 different faith groups. Both events will include a variety of clergy from different faith traditions. Controversy arose in Utah County two years ago over National Day of prayer observances, which were then sponsored by the NDP Task Force and excluded prayer by religious leaders outside the evangelical Christian tradition. This year's interfaith events there will be held at:
- Provo Community Congregational Church, 175 N. University Ave., at noon, featuring prayers, scriptures, music and comments from leaders of Presbyterian, Lutheran, Jewish, Seventh-day Adventist, Emergent Catholic Church International and LDS congregations.
- Provo Seventh-day Adventist Church, 255 S. 700 East, at 7:30 p.m., with music about prayer and featuring pianist Janette Rodriguez.
