National Day of Prayer: Love One Another

President Harry Truman signed a congressional resolution in 1952, creating the National Day of Prayer for the United States , but it was President Ronald Reagan who established the first Thursday in May as the day set aside for the national observance.

In keeping with that tradition, individuals, churches and communities around the nation spent Thursday, May 2, 2019, in prayer at impromptu gatherings or organized events.

The 2019 National Prayer Day theme was "Love One Another," adopted from the Biblical scripture John 13:34.

Gainesville and Cornelia were among the communities in North Georgia organizing events for this year's National Day of Prayer. Click on the photo to the side for a photo gallery from the two observances. 

A National Day of Prayer banner welcomes community members who have traveled to downtown Gainesville for Prayer on the Square. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Darryl Womack, Pastor of Montgomery Memorial Baptist Church in Gainesville, offers prayer for members of the media at Prayer on the Square. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Participants walked between eight different prayer stations for Gainesville's Prayer on the Square event. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Community members pray along with Greg Sandoval as he prayers for government leaders at Thursday's National Day of Prayer event in downtown Gainesville. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Members of Trail Life Troops 2717 in Gainesville and 2121 in Clarkesville took turns holding a large wooden cross as part of Gainesville's Prayer on the Square. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Prayer on the Square is a traditional part of the National Day of Prayer for the Gainesville community. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Every person at Gainesville's Prayer on the Square received a sticker to indicate they had participated in the event. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

At the prayer station for the U.S. Military, Lt. Col. Kevin Jarrard offers prayer for Commander in Chief President Trump as well as members of all branches of the military. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

This group of prayer warriors offers words of prayer for Gainesville-area businesses. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Art Gallegos lifts his hand in prayer during the National Day of Prayer event on Gainesville's downtown square. (Photo: B.J. Williams)

Cornelia Fire Chief Billy Jenkins delivers a prayer during the noon National Day of Prayer service on the grounds of the Cornelia Depot.

Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell gets emotional while delivering a prayer for public safety personnel and other protectors during the noon prayer service in Cornelia.

Members of Cornelia Fire Department attend the National Day of Prayer observance on the grounds of the Cornelia Depot.

Bill Kokoly of Congressman Doug Collins’ office reads a letter from Collins to those in attendance at the Cornelia observance.

Members of Grant Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 Color Guard fire rifles on the order of Post Commander Bill Miles during the observance in Cornelia.

National Day of Prayer in Cornelia organizer Myrna Fouts participates in an 11 a.m. prayer.

Standing beside where President George H.W. Bush addressed thousands of people during a visit to Cornelia, participants in the National Day of Prayer join in a closing prayer.

Pianist Don Bagwell plays as the speaking part of the ceremony pauses for a passing train.

Grant Reeves VFW Post 7720 Chaplain Christian Egeland prepares to deliver a prayer for those serving in the military.

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