National Day of Prayer
Two events are set for Thursday in Cape Coral in recognition of the National Day of Prayer.
Created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, the annual day of observance is held on the first Thursday in May. On this day, people of all faiths are asked to pray for the nation.
Locally, the Cape Coral National Day of Prayer will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in City Council chambers. Separately, Prayer & Praise in the Park will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Rosen Park.
Both events are free and open to the public.
David Roznowski, a spokesman for Teens for Christ, based out of Lima, Ohio, explained that the group’s Southwest Florida Chapter is hosting the first-ever Prayer & Praise in the Park event.
“We’ve done similar events in other communities that have been very successful,” he said.
Roznowski noted that the event is more youth-orientated, but all ages are welcome.
“What we’re trying to do is get the youth out, and local community members and youth leaders from the churches to come out, and just have a day of prayer and praise,” he said. “We believe there’s power in prayer and the generation coming up is going to play a crucial role in the direction the nation goes.”
Attendees will be asked to focus their prayers on the country’s youth and next generations, families, churches, leaders or people in position of authority, and for the salvation and revival of the nation.
“If we get 50 to 100 people that would be awesome for the first year,” Roznowski said.
The event program will consist of opening music, a reading of a declaration for the National Day of Prayer and a prayer reading suggested by Dr. Tony Evans, the 2016 national honorary chairman. There are solo youth performances planned, along with a discussion about devotion and the national theme.
This year’s theme is “Wake up America,” which is based on Isaiah 58:1.
“Then we’re going to have lots of praying. We’re going to pray as individuals and as a group,” he said.
Other local churches are expected to participate.
Food and refreshments will be available after the event.
Earlier that day, the Cape Coral National Day of Prayer will take place. The public is invited to intercede for city, state and country, as well as for those in the local community who serve.
Across the river, there are still tickets available for the annual Community Prayer Breakfast at the Harborside Event Center. It runs from 7 to 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, with doors opening at 6 a.m.
A total of 1,450 tickets are being handed out for the event. A spokeswoman for Cypress Lake United Methodist Church reported on Tuesday that there were about two dozen tickets still remaining.
This year’s speaker is Larry G. Linne, motivational speaker and former NFL player who went on to become a best-selling author. He wrote “Make the Noise Go Away: The Power of an Effective Second-in-Command” and “Brand Aid: Taking Control of Your Reputation – Before Everyone Else Does.”
To reserve tickets, contact the church at (239) 482-1250.
They will be issued on first come-first serve basis.
The Harborside Event Center is at 1375 Monroe St. in Fort Myers.
For more on Prayer & Praise in the Park, contact (419) 296-2681 or pastorroz@wcoil.com.
Rosen Park is at 2414 S.E. 15th Terrace.
For more on the Cape Coral National Day of Prayer, contact dan@mykingsway.org.
The Cape Coral City Council chambers is at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.