Scotland County residents, regardless of faith, are expected to come together Thursday to pray.
In observance of the National Day of Prayer, participants will meet at noon today at the Scotland County courthouse, where a brief ceremony will take place near the flagpole.
Between 40 and 50 people are expected to attend, including area ministers, said Essie Davis, who serves as coordinator for National Day of Prayer in Scotland County. This is the 61st National Day of Prayer.
“We use this opportunity to come together and pray for our nation, our community, and anything else that needs to be addressed,” Davis said. “This day is for everyone, no matter what race or what denomination; we are all children of God.”
The ceremony will begin with an opening prayer, followed by the reading of scripture and music. This year’s theme is one nation under God. It is based on Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”
“We will have various ministers offer targeted prayer,” Davis said. “Those prayer will focus on things like education, unity in our community, the economy, government, media and the family.”
Designated by the United States Congress, the National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday in May.
The day was first established by an act of Congress in 1952. Each year, the president issues a proclamation in support of National Day or Prayer, and last year, the governors of all 50 states, including the governor of North Carolina, issued similar proclamations.
“I hope people will come out and take part,” Davis said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for people of different backgrounds to come together in prayer. According to Matthew, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”















