Communities across the country are planning to observe the annual National Day of Prayer on May 2, and the Camellia City is no exception.

Pastors from across the county will gather in front of Greenville’s City Hall to lead the community in prayer for national, state and local elected officials, the nation’s military, area schools, churches and families.

The theme verse for this year’s event is Matthew 12:21, which reads, “In His name the nations will put their hope.”

“With the recent events we’ve had in our country, now more than ever we need to gather as a community and pray,” said Allen Stephenson, Butler County Ministerial Association president. “Prayer may well be the only cure for our ills.”

The first National Day of Prayer was declared by the Continental Congress in 1775. It officially became an annual event in 1952 when it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan designated the first Thursday of each May as the National Day of Prayer.

“Each year the ministerial association is pleased to join the City of Greenville in participating in the National Day of Prayer,” Stephenson said. “We believe this is an important day for our community, and we’d encourage everyone that’s able to come out and take part in the day.”