SUMMERDALE, Ala. — The town of Summerdale will host its 23rd Annual National Day of Prayer event beginning at noon on Thursday, May 1 at the Summerdale Municipal Complex, 502 Lee. St., a half-block east of Highway 59 in Summerdale.

The theme for this year’s Day of Prayer Event is “One Voice United in Prayer,” following Romans 15:6, “So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The speaker for this year’s event is Jason Mann, director of outreach for the Women’s Care Medical Center.

The event is sponsored by area churches and businesses. Lunch will be provided.

For more information call the Town of Summerdale at 251-989-6202.

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.