National Day of Prayer: Community breakfast set for May 4
The National Day of Prayer brings together communities, big and small, in the name of God and petition him for the well-being of all members.
The events come in all shapes and sizes, from the huge 6 a.m. event at the Harborside Convention Center, to the smaller one happening at the Cape Coral City Hall.
Numerous churches throughout Cape Coral will come together at noon Thursday outside of Pop’s Cafe for a prayer program that will offer blessings for the city’s first responders, teachers and government.
This prayer event, which has happened for decades, was under the direction of Dennis Gingerich of Cape Christian Fellowship Church for more than two decades before he turned it over to Dan Lumadue of Kings Way Christian Center three years ago.
Gingerich, who is still very active in the event and will also attend the breakfast at Harborside, will pray for the first responders, while other pastors from other churches will lead prayers for others in the community.
“Many communities do it this way or on the courthouse steps. The idea of just praying for the community, our schools, administration and for city leaders to make wise decisions,” Gingerich said. “It’s a day of saying thanks and pausing long enough to remember that every gift comes from above.”
Lumadue, who has also been involved for many years, said it is always a welcome treat to come to City Hall and give thanks and remember.
“We lift up the community in prayer. It’s a day that has quite a history about it. It’s been celebrated by the president and members of Congress,” Lumadue said. “We believe in the power of prayer and people coming together in faith, and it helps us overcome our differences, to pray together and lift up those serving our community.”
The roots of the day date back to the Continental Congress in 1775 when it asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation.
It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, which established the day, with its annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation.
It is estimated that more than 2 million people attend more than 30,000 events annually, organized by more than 40,000 volunteers around the nation.
Hours before the Cape Coral event, Fort Myers will be the location for perhaps the biggest prayer event in Lee County.
Two people with ties to athletics, the mother of a legendary NBA star and a World War II veteran who became an NFL official who worked two Super Bowls, will be the featured speakers during the Community Prayer Breakfast at Harborside Event Center, at 1375 Monroe St., in Fort Myers.
This free, ticketed event, hosted by Cypress Lake United Methodist Church, brings the community together in unified prayer, beginning with a buffet-style breakfast at 6 a.m.,
Following that, keynote speaker Dr. Lucille O’Neal and guest speaker Art Holst will inspire the attendees with their motivational and entertaining personal stories, tied to faith and humanity.
Randy Henderson, mayor of the city of Fort Myers, will emcee the prayer breakfast, with music from the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers in collaboration with choirs from area churches and synagogues. Registration for the event as well as a guest pass is required for entry, as seating is limited. Residents and visitors can request tickets online at cypresslakeumc.com/prayerbreakfast/.
For more information on the local prayer day, call Kings Way Christian Center at 458-2700.
For more information on the prayer breakfast, call 223-8458 or email cpbreakfast@yahoo.com.