To commemorate National Day of Prayer Thursday, people of all faiths will gather at schools and government buildings to pray for the U.S. and its leaders.

    Lauderdale County will observe its 27th Annual National Day of Prayer from noon-1 p.m. on the front lawn of Meridian City Hall. The theme for this year is “Wake Up America.”

    Dorothy Lloyd, Lauderdale County coordinator, encourages the community to join local ministers and members of the Armed Forces to pray for government leaders, churches, families, media, education and the military.

    “This is a call for us to wake up and realize we are in a spiritual battle and we can’t afford to stay docile, continue on with our apathy, or continue to be complacent,” Lloyd said. “We have to fight with the weapons we have been given, and one of those weapons is prayer. There is strength in numbers, and when we come together in unity, if we call on the Lord he will answer us.”

    Newton County will observe National Day of Prayer at noon on the steps of the Newton County Courthouse in Decatur.

    Janine Vincent, Newton County coordinator, said more than 75 vocalists and platform speakers will be involved in the National Day of Prayer event.

    “Because a lot of the vocalists will be today’s youth, we invite everybody to come out and support the fact that it is a great patriotic event for our town and the future of our town,” Vincent said. “Newton County has been participating in National Day of Prayer for over 10 years and it is always a great day.”

    The city of Newton will also observe the day at noon on the steps of Newton City Hall.

    According to the National Day of Prayer website, National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for our nation.

     It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Since its inception, this day has continually united Americans from all socio-economic, political, and ethnic backgrounds in prayer while also encouraging personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.