Thursday, May 7, marks the annual observance of the National Day of Prayer, held the first Thursday of May.

“As American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt called for our nation to unite in prayer,” according to the National Day of Prayer Task Force. “He also offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead.

“‘Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be. And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee.’

“The victory that followed on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, began the march to Berlin. Eighteen months later, World War II was over and one of the world’s greatest evils had been defeated. The prayers of a nation had been a powerful force.”

Prayer can be a powerful thing, and the power of prayer should not be underestimated, especially during this time, as the world fights a global pandemic.

Studies have found that people who pray and have people pray for them have a healthier outlook.

Of course, folks with faith need no studies to tell them this.

They know it through experience.

Given enough faith, one prayer can move mountains.

Imagine what a collection of prayers can accomplish? Imagine a nation at prayer?

The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans.

Americans of all ages and all religions are invited to pray today for the government, the military, the media, the business community, education, church and family and more.

There’s much in our community, state and nation that could use more prayers.

Take a moment to say a little prayer wherever you may be.

Prayers reach the same place no matter where they come from.