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Batavia, Ohio – On April 29, the Board of Clermont County Commissioners proclaimed May 2, 2013 as ‘A Day of Prayer’ in Clermont County. The National Day of Prayer calls on all people of different faiths in the United States to pray for the nation and its leaders, it is an annual observance held the first Thursday of May each year.  Commissioner David Uible stated, “This Proclamation displays our view concerning the importance of quality of life in Clermont County.” Uible added, “This County is home to people who seek inspiration, strength and guidance from God and the Commissioners encourage citizens to celebrate their faith through prayer and reflection of the many blessings we have in our community.”

The National Day of Prayer is considered by many as a vital part of our national heritage and American tradition.  In 1775, numerous U.S. founding fathers and the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation and since that first call to prayer the tradition has continued through U.S. history, including President Lincoln’s proclamation of a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer” in 1863. The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President 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.

In Clermont County, the following events are planned for National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 2, 2013:

• 9 a.m. – Prayer service in front of the Milford City Building, 745 Center St.
  
• 10:30 a.m. – Bible reading on the Clermont County Common Pleas Court House steps in
  Batavia. Eve Moody is the coordinator.
  
• 11 a.m. – Pastors Brunch held in the conference room of the county administration building,
  101 E. Main St. in Batavia. Hosted by Eastgate Community Church, Pastor Dale Campfield.
  
• Noon – Prayer service on the Clermont County Common Pleas Court House steps in Batavia.
  Elected officials will read from the Bible. Hymns and patriotic music will be sung by local
    soloists and area pastors will pray for the country, county, community, children and military.
    Organized by the Clermont County National Day of Prayer Task Force.
  
• 6:30 p.m. – Hymns and patriotic music performed by local soloists and Community Choir
  members. Vickie Hale is the coordinator.
  
• 7 p.m. – “God & Country” Prayer Service will be at the bandstand in New Richmond. Prayers
  will go up for the country, community and hometown heroes including fire, EMTs, police and
  veterans, who will be recognized. A special prayer will focus on the children and schools. A
    moment of silence to remember the recent tragic loss of life in Boston and Newtown,
    Connecticut. Libbie Bennett is the coordinator:
  
• 7 p.m. – National Day of Prayer Prayer Walk in the Union Township Veterans Park at the
  corner of Glen Este-Withamsville Road and Clough Pike. This includes prayers, patriotic songs
  and hymns. All pastors and veterans will be recognized. Pastor John Martin is the coordinator.
  
• 7 p.m. – The Bethel Ministerial Association will host a National Day of Prayer Service at the
  Community Christian Church, 125 E. Plane St. in Bethel.
  
• 7 p.m. – Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 1170 Ohio 131 in Milford, will host a Clermont County
  National Day of Prayer and Praise Rally. Pastor Ron Edwards and the congregation invites the
  public to attend this timely prayer meeting for the nation. Call: 602-4124 for details or
    directions.
  

“Fasting and prayer are religious exercises; the enjoining them an act of discipline. Every religious society has a right to determine for itself the time for these exercises, and the objects proper for them, according to their own particular tenets; and right can never be safer than in their hands, where the Constitution has deposited it.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1808