LUMBERTON — The city of Lumberton will host a National Day of Prayer event on May 4 at 12:15 p.m. at the downtown city plaza.

Kriston Jacobs, special events coordinator for the city’s Lumberton Recreation Department, said it is a time for people who wish to come together and offer prayers to do so.

“There’s been so much tragedy going on not only in our community but in our nation,” Jacobs said. “It’s a good opportunity for us to come together and pray because just this week so much has happened. It will give us a sense of community.”

All are invited to pray for the nation, local government, children and families, businesses, churches and the community. In case of rain, it will be held at the Carolina Civic Center at 315 N. Chestnut St.

In response to an address that the Rev. Billy Graham gave on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in February 1952, a bill calling for an annual National Day of Prayer was unanimously passed through Congress, then signed by President Harry Truman on April 17, 1952, according to the National Day of Prayer website. On Jan.25, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law the designation for the first Thursday in May to be set aside each year as an annual observance for the National Day of Prayer.

That was followed by President Bill Clinton signing the following into law on Aug. 12, 1998: “The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.”