ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- A pair of events next week in Central Baldwin County will honor the National Day of Prayer.

Beginning at 6:45 a.m. Thursday, May 3, the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce will host the 8th Annual Prayer Breakfast at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale.

“America on Bended Knee,” is the theme for the event will will feature former Alabama and professional standout Bobby Humphrey.

“We want everyone to come out and support our nation in prayer,” said Dennis Stastka, coordinator for the event.

Humphrey grew up in the shadows of Legion Field in Birmingham. He worked concessions at the University of Alabama football games at 13 and dreamed of playing football for Alabama. That dream came true, and after he played for Alabama as a running back.

Voted as an All-American in 1986 and 1987 Humphrey rushed for 3,420 yards, caught 60 passes for 523 yards and scored 40 touchdowns over four seasons for the Crimson Tide.

He was named UPI’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1987 and finished 10th in voting for the Heisman Trophy before being drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos in 1989.

He rushed for 1,151 yards and scored seven touchdowns for the Broncos in his rookie season, losing out to Barry Sanders for Rookie of the Year honors in 1989, then went on to be a Pro Bowl selection in 1990 before a contract dispute caused him to sit out most of the 1991 season.

He was traded to the Miami Dolphins at the end of 1991, and ended his professional career as a player in 1993.

He went on to coach the Birmingham Steeldogs in the Arena Football 2 league from 2000 to 2005 and currently serves as a sales representative for Ready Mix USA and resides in Hoover with his wife and five children.

He devotes time working with charities, coaching ball teams, speaking to kids at churches, schools and community outreach programs.

Humphrey’s life can be described as “Giving Hope That Dreams Do Come True.” His advice to youth and adults is that “change is possible through a relationship with Christ.”

Tickets for the Chamber event, presented by Baldwin EMC, are $20 each and are available at the Chamber office, call 251-947-2626 or email jmangion@centralbaldwin.com.

Summerdale’s 21st annual National Day of Prayer event will be held at noon Thursday, May 3, at the Summerdale Municipal Complex, 502 Lee St., one-half  block east of Highway 59 in Summerdale.  This year’s theme is “One Nation Under God.”

The speaker for this prayer event is Tony Kennon, mayor of Orange Beach.

Kennon was elected mayor of the City of Orange Beach in 2008 and has been a major influence in protecting the interests of Alabama and the Gulf Coast region in recovery after the BP oil spill.

Kennon is a graduate of the University of South Alabama with a degree in physical therapy and is past owner of Forever Young Rehabilitation Services, now known as Encore Rehabilitation.  He has been married to his wife Paula for 20 years and has two children.

Area churches and businesses will provide lunch at no cost following the prayer service.

For more information, contact John Schell at 251-988-8498 or email him at harvest@gulftel.com.

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.