Busy day of prayer

scheduled on May 5

    With its constitutionality freshly affirmed through court action last month, the 60th annual National Day of Prayer takes place Thursday, May 5, with thousands of events nationally and many in the Northwest.
     On April 14, a federal appeals court panel overturned a ruling that previously found the law requiring the President to proclaim a nationwide day of prayer each year as unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, based in Chicago, ruled 3-0 that Freedom From Religion Foundation and its plaintiffs do not have standing to continue their challenge of the 1952 congressional act declaring an annual national prayer day.     According to the appeals court ruling, the proclamation imposes no requirement on a person and therefore no one is hurt by a request that can be declined.
    “This is definitely a victory for the free exercise of religion that our Founding Fathers sought to ensure, and we are thankful for the outcome,” said Michael Calhoun, spokesman for the Colorado-based National Day of Prayer Task Force. “I can’t think of a time in recent memory when it has been more important to pray for wisdom and direction for our country and its leaders.”
     National theme this year is “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” based on Psalm 91:2. For complete information, go to nationaldayofprayer.org.
Here is an overview of prayer day events in Oregon and southwest Washington made known by press time:
OREGON
   Albany: Noon to 1 p.m., Linn County Courthouse steps on Fourth Street. 541-981-2400.
    Corvallis: Noon to 1 p.m., Central Park. 541-936-2703.
    Eugene: 8:30 to 9 a.m., at the flagpole in front of Eugene Christian School, 4500 W. Amazon Drive. 541-513-3220.
    Grants Pass: Noon to 1 p.m., Josephine County Courthouse, 500 N.W. Sixth St. 541-659-2285.
    Gresham: 7 to 8:30 p.m., 1217 S.E. Fourth St., 503-665-5744.
    Hermiston: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., McKenzie Park, South First Street and West Orchard. 541-571-5831.
    Hillsboro: 7 to 8:15 p.m., New Life Baptist Church, 3440 E. Main St., 503-642-2003.
    Keizer: Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast with speaker Keizer Police Chief Marc Adams, Keizer Civic Center, 930 Chemawa Road N.E. $15. 503-393-9111.
    King City: 3 p.m., King City Clubhouse, 15245 S.W. 116th Ave., 503-620-2161.
    Lake Oswego: 7 to 8:30 a.m., Conference room at 5300 S.W. Meadows Road. 503-780-3030.
    Lincoln City: Noon to 1 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., Old Copeland building at N.E. 14th St. and U.S. Hwy. 101, 541-921-7943.
    Medford: Noon to 1 p.m., 1974 E. McAndrews. 541-779-7777.
    Milwaukie: 7 to 8:15 p.m., Alder Creek Middle School, 13801 S.E. Webster Road. 503-653-0174.

     Newberg:   11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grace Baptist Church, 1619 E. Second St.. Bring a sack lunch or potluck item and join others in the church's Fellowship Hall. 503-538-7468
    Portland: 7 to 8:30 p.m., Mount Scott Church of God, 10603 S.E. Henderson St. 503-760-1957.
    Portland: 7 to 8 p.m., Sauvie Island Community Church, 18510 N.W. Reeder Road. 503-621-9891.
    Portland: 11:30 a.m., Sponsored by K-LOVE radio at Blessings bookstore, 10209 S.E. Division St., Portland. 503-608-7633.
Sweet Home: 7 to 8 p.m., 109 W. Holley Road. 541-267-2919.

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON
    Vancouver: 8:30 to 10 a.m., Pastors Prayer Breakfast, Living Hope Church’s new location (former K-mart store), 2711 N.E. Andresen. RSVP to 503-319-8116.
    Vancouver: Noon to 3 p.m., In square in front of City Hall, 210 E. 13th St.. First hour is prayer together, followed by three prayer walks throughout the city.
    Vancouver: 7 to 8 p.m., 7300 Macarthur Blvd. 360-694-2527.
    Vancouver: 7 to 9 p.m. City Harvest Church, 8100 N.W. Ninth Ave. 360-606-8125.
    Vancouver: 9:30 to 11 a.m. ON MAY 4 (held one day early) 8120 N.E. 16th St. Sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries. 360-696-9794.