The National Day of Prayer, observed annually since 1952 when President Truman signed it into law, is held on the first Thursday of May, and the focus is for all Christians to pray for the nation and its leadership through the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family.
Kicking off the annual celebration, Erick Kalenga, pastor of His Village and Rize Up, a local youth ministry, will hold a youth focused service at Eastern View High School on Wednesday, May 5th. This service will be held the evening prior to the National Day of Prayer and in the same tradition of years past.
This year, the noon event in Culpeper will be held in the chapel at Culpeper Baptist Church. Betsy Smith, youth minister at CBC and Ed Lyons of Persecution Project are organizing the event. First and second graders from Culpeper Christian School will be singing this year.
This year’s theme is “Prayer for Such a Time as This” based on the bible verse from Nahum 1:7 which states, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
Bethel Baptist Church in Reva, VA will afford folks another opportunity to participate in the National Day of Prayer events. They are having a service at 7 p.m. that includes a brief message, music, worship and prayer for the county and American church. “The country is in great need of prayer,” said Pastor Adam Meisberger , “We are calling the Body of Christ to come together and pray.” Everyone is invited to enjoy the ice cream social, in the fellowship hall, following the service.
Culpeper United Methodist Church is also offering an evening opportunity for worship and prayer at 7 p.m.

For more information, see contact information below:
• May 5 at 6:30p – service for youth at Eastern View High School at 16332 Cyclone Way Culpeper, VA 22701. Contact: Erick Kalenga at 540.720.7330
• May 6 at noon – service in the chapel on the lower level of the Culpeper Baptist Church, 318 South West Street Culpeper, Virginia 22701 Contact: Ed Lyons — (540) 829-5353
• May 6 at 7p – service at Bethel Baptist Church, 6262 Hoover Road Reva, VA Contact Pastor Meisberger at 540.727.2363
• May 6 at 7p – service at Culpeper United Methodist Church 1233 Oaklawn Drive Culpeper, VA 22701
Contact: Nancy Palmer at 540.825.0764