The National Day of Prayer, established by Congress in 1952, was marked across the country Thursday (May 2), including an observance at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. The event featured prayers for all the branches of the U.S. government and remarks by religious, political and military leaders. Twenty-five years ago, President Reagan designated the first Thursday in May for the annual prayer day.
Religion News Service photos by Adelle M. Banks.
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Participants in the national observance of the National Day of Prayer gathered in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building on Thursday (May 2) in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Singer Pat Boone (far left) and Suzan Johnson Cook, ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, chat before the start of the National Day of Prayer observance on Capitol Hill on Thursday (May 2). The Rev. Rob Schenck, Washington evangelical leader, looks on. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
A trumpet player in a military brass quintet performs prelude music at the observance of the National Day of Prayer in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Singer Wintley Phipps performs a solo at the National Day of Prayer observance on Capitol Hill in Washington on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
The National Day of Prayer was marked at an observance in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington and tens of thousands of other locations across the country on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Rabbi Neal Surasky of Chosen People Ministries in New York blows the shofar at the National Day of Prayer observance in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Two yarmulke-wearing attendees took part in the national observance of the National Day of Prayer in Washington on Thursday (May 2). The event on Capitol Hill draws many evangelical Christians. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Rear Adm. William D. Lee of the U.S. Coast Guard warned of threats to faith within the military while speaking at National Day of Prayer observances on Capitol Hill. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Sandra Sheskin Brotman, a singer and evangelist, worships during the National Day of Prayer observance on Capitol Hill on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
A stole and a Bible at the National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday (May 2) in the Cannon House Office Building. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and host of “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk,” speaks at the National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday (May 2) in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
A couple clasps their hands in prayer at the National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday (May 2) on Capitol Hill in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
The National Day of Prayer was marked at an observance in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington and tens of thousands of other locations across the country on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Pastor Greg Laurie, honorary chairman of the 2013 National Day of Prayer Task Force, was the keynote speaker at the observance of the National Day of Prayer on Capitol Hill on Thursday (May 2). Laurie is an evangelist and the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Members of the Annie Moses Band lead worship at the national observance of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday (May 2) at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Shirley Dobson, chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, speaks during the National Day of Prayer on Thursday (May 2) at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
A participant keeps track of the program at the national observance of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday (May 2) at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Vonette Bright, the co-chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force introduces singer Pat Boone at the National Day of Prayer observance on Capitol Hill on Thursday (May 2) in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Chuck Fouke (center) of Eldersburg, Md., joins others in prayer at the National Day of Prayer observance at the Cannon House Office Building on Thursday (May 2) in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Participants kneel during the national observance of the National Day of Prayer at the Cannon House Office Building on Thursday (May 2) in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., welcomed participants in the national observance of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday (May 2) at the Cannon House Office Building in Washington. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Anita Hensley of Kansas City, Mo., joins in worship at the National Day of Prayer observance on Capitol Hill on Thursday (May 2). RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
