National Day of Prayer in Albany

ALBANY — The city of Albany will join the rest of the country on May 5 as a participant in the 65^th annual National Day of Prayer. The local event will be held at the Government Center, located at 222 Pine Ave. in Albany and will start at noon.

The event has been observed in Albany for more than 25 years, and this year’s theme is “Wake up America.” The Bible verse of focus will be Isaiah 58:1a.

According to nationaldayofprayer.org, the theme was chosen with the intent of “emphasizing the need for individuals, corporately and individually, to return to the God of Fathers in reverence for His Holy Name.”

The website also states that the 2016 honorary chairman, Dr. Tony Evans, has written a special prayer for the event that will be recited simultaneously by those participating across the country.

Larry Price, an organizer of the event and member of the Albany-Dougherty National Prayer Committee, said the goal within Albany is to focus on strengthening the community through uplifting its leaders.

“One of the things we’re trying to do to help our community is to sponsor prayer as a focal point to support our local leaders in all that they do in our community,” he said. “To show our support for our city, our county, our state and our nation as well.”

The event in Albany will feature a number of guest speakers in various capacities who will be called on to lead prayers. Trish Rivers King will be in attendance to lead attendees in song, while Superintendent of Schools Butch Mosely, U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop and Trumpet of God Ministries pastor the Rev. Charlene Glover will be among those addressing the crowd and leading prayers.

After the group prayer, those in attendance will break off into small groups and pray with and for each other. Price said this helps to add an element of fellowship among those who attend. He added that about 300 people participated locally last year.

The Albany-Dougherty National Prayer Committee has also sponsored the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast within the community.