Special National Day of Prayer calendar from May issue of Christian News Northwest Christians in Oregon and southwest Washington won't have too many excuses not to join in the 53rd annual National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 6.

Literally scores of special prayer events will take place that day, or other days that week, throughout the region, according to Oregon chairman of the National Day of Prayer, James Autry or Portland, and Clark County, Wash., chair, Marilyn Melhorn.

Established by Congress in 1952, the National Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday in May. Chaired by Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, the prayer effort has seen enormous growth in recent years. Theme this year is "Let Freedom Ring."

Here are scheduled events. Unless otherwise indicated, the events are on May 6: OREGON, BY CITY

Albany: First Assembly of God will have a service at 2817 Santiam Hwy SE. 541-926-2291

Albany: At 5:30 p.m. May 2, a special video presentation on prayer featuring Jim Cymbala of Brooklyn (N.Y.) Tabernacle, and worship led by Jesse Elliott, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 154 Madison St. N.E. 541-928-7578 or 541-926-3495.

Albany: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 154 Madison St. N.E., open for prayer from 7 to 9 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Astoria: The US Coast Guard Group of Astoria will have a lunch at Columbia River Maritime Museum in the Multipurpose Room, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Guest speaker Chaplain Mike Brown with the Pledge of Allegiance and a candlelight vigil. Call Mike Brown at 503-861-6225.

Baker City: Let Freedom Ring City Wide prayer at County Courthouse at 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Bandon: Let Freedom Ring citywide Prayer at City Hall from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m.

Beaverton: Wednesday, May 5 at the Greenwood Inn, the Mayors' Prayer Breakfast of Washington Co Sponsored by the Beaverton-Tigard Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship. Speakers will be Steve Hanamura and Col. Garry Dean. Tickets are $20 each. 503-521-3197

Beaverton: Beaverton Mom's In Touch National Day of Prayer Brunch at 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Beaverton Foursquare Church 13565 SW Walker Rd, Beaverton. Call Karen at 503-626-3396 for reservations.

Beaverton: Hour of Prayer at Harvest Community Church, 21235 NW Quatama Road, noon to 1 p.m. www.harvestcc.org, 503-629-8300

Bend: National Day of Prayer luncheon with host Linda Swearingen, executive director of Bridge to Hope Ministries. Special Guest is Mayor Oran Teater, noon at The Riverhouse 3075 N Hwy 97. Cost for this event is $20. 541-389-4749

Bend: Ministerial Association will have a community Hour of Prayer at First Baptist Church (60 NW Oregon Ave)at noon to 1p.m. 541-382-3862.

Boring: Good Shepherd Community Church will hold the County Wide Prayer "A Time to Pray" from 11a.m. to 1p.m. 28986 SE Haley Rd, 503-663-5050.

Cave Junction: Community Church Prayer meeting Monday May 3 at Community Bible Church (113 S Cave Ave) @ 7 to 8:30 pm. 541-592-3896

Central Point: Central Point Assembly of God (310 N 10th St.) will have a prayer and communion service from 7 to 8 a.m. There will be open prayer till 3:30 p.m. 541-664-3353 Clatskanie: A Prayer for Marriage at New Hope Community Church in the Fireside Room (11731 SE Stevens Rd) from 11 a.m. to noon. 503-655-1489

Coos Bay and North Bend: "Let Freedom Ring" City Wide prayer at the Boardwalk at noon

Estacada: "Let Freedom Ring" at the Community Prayer meeting at the City Hall Flag Pole at 7 a.m. 503-630-5484 or 503-630-5325 .

Eugene: Mission Eugene/Springfield and Community Prayer Network will meet at the Federal Building for Community prayer and worship from 7 to- 8:30 p.m. 541-686-8651

Forest Grove: "Let Freedom Ring" at the American Legion Hall 21st & Main St from noon to 1 p.m. This is sponsored by the Forest Grove Homeschool Group. Call Wendy 503-359- 0609

Grants Pass: 34th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast at Josephine County Fairgrounds Pavilion from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Ron Coverson will speak on "Raising the Flag for Prayer." There will be a color guard and choirs. Prayer will be for the national, local and civic leaders. Tickets $7 are available at Chamber of Commerce, Merle Norman Cosmetics, KAJO Radio Station and Evangel Family Bookstore.

Grants Pass: 24 hour prayer vigil starting midnight on the 6th of May at the River Valley Community Church corner of C St and 7th St. Call George Johnson, 541-476-7761

Hillsboro: Countywide prayer meeting at the Washington County Courthouse (Lincoln & NE 2nd St) at noon. 503-648-0525 or 503-648-2921.

Hood River: Citywide Prayer meeting at the County Courthouse at 12 pm 1pm

Hood River: Community Prayer at Vineyard Church from 7 to 8:30 p.m

John Day: Citywide Prayer Rally at the City Hall from noon to 1p.m. There will be strategic prayer for the leaders of the city, county, state and federal government and for the military.

Lakeview: Citywide Prayer with churches, civic leaders, and law enforcement, fire department and Veterans of Foreign Wars at the courthouse law from noon to 1 p.m.

Lakeview: Trinity Baptist Church (728 N. Fifth) will be open for prayer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 541-947-4311

Lakeview: First Presbyterian Church, 619 S First ,will have open prayer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 541-947-2909

Lakeview: Church of the Nazarene, 602 S Sixth, will have open prayer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 541-947-3974

Langell Valley: Langell Valley Community Church will have a community prayer from noon to 2 p.m. at 9880 E Langell Valley Road. Call Pastor Dave McCarley, 541-545- 6339

Lincoln City/Otis: St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church at 1226 SW 13th St will have a National Day of Prayer Program from noon to 1 p.m.. 541-994-8793

Manzanita: Citywide prayer meeting at the flag pole at City Hall on Laneda Street at noon.

McMinnville: Citywide Prayer Meeting at Valley Baptist Church from 7 to 8 p.m.. at 2631 NE McDonald Lane. There will be community and individual prayer led by local pastors. 503-472-8924.

Medford: Prayer meeting at the Justice Center on 8th St. at noon. 541-779-7777.

Medford: First Church of the Nazarene will have a service at 6:30 p.m. 541-779-7777

Milwaukie: Clackamas Christian Center will be open for prayer during the day. (13333 SE Rusk Rd) 503-654-9531.

Milwaukie: Citywide Prayer at the City Hall at noon.

Newport: Church of the Nazarene will have a countywide prayer meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with a color guard and music medley/ Mayor Mark Jones, Lincoln County commissioners and judges, the fire chief and police chief, school superintendent and all county pastors are invited. Many churches in Lincoln County will also pray for a 24 hour time starting at midnight on May 6. 541-265-6178 or 541-265-6684

Oregon City: Community Prayer Breakfast at Abernethy Center (15th & Washington) at 7a.m with Carol Kemhus, Oregon City High School principal and Peter Law will be speaking. RSVP by May 3. $8. at 503-656-8582 or office@ocec.net.

Oregon City: St Philip Benize Church (18681 S Redland Rd , Oregon City) will have itsannual 24 hour fasting and prayer with a community prayer starting at 9 a.m. and ending with a "break-fast" soup and bread potluck and prayer at 6:15 p.m. in the parish hall. 503-631-7354

Pendleton: Community prayer meeting at the City Hall at 12 Noon. Mayor Robert Ramig and other religious and community leaders will be present. There will be strategic prayer for the leaders of the city, county, state and federal government and for the military.

Portland: Downtown Prayer Walk meeting at Pioneer Square at 6 to 9am. Call Valerie at 503-288-2583

Portland: Rally at the City Hall by the Liberty Bell for focused prayer for city, county and federal buildings, and the many faithful workers and officials. From noon to 1:15 p.m, outside the east entrance at 4th Avenue between SW Jefferson and Madison.

Portland: Downtown House of Prayer (921 SW Clay) prayer meeting.

Portland: His Staff Ministries, a marketplace prayer ministry, will meet at Temple Baptist Churchfrom noon to 1 p.m. for prayer. E-mail hisstaffministries@hisstaff.org for information.

Portland: Calvary Temple Assembly of God (10224 SE Division) One hour of prayer from noon to 1 p.m. 503-253-2827

Portland: National Day of Prayer/Candlelight Vigil, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Multnomah County Building (501 SE Hawthorne St)

Portland: New Beginnings Christian Center (7600 NE Glisan) One hour of prayer from noon to 1 p.m. Phone Christine at 503-256-6050, ext. 119

Portland: Amphitheater at the Portland Adventist Medical Center at noon with praise and worship andprayer groups. Phone Chaplain Jose Agosto, 503-251-6105.

Portland: A "Prayer for Marriage" at New Hope Community Church in the Fireside Room (11731 SE Stevens Rd) from 11 a.m. to noon.. 503-655-1489

Portland: "Gathering at the High Places" at noon at Mt Tabor Park Amphitheater. Call Kent Walton at 503-804-1019

Portland: Mt Scott Church of God (10603 SE Henderson) will have a special service at 7p.m. to pray for civic leaders. 503-771-1195

Prineville: Mayors Prayer Breakfast on May 8 in Carey Foster Hall at the Crook County Fairgrounds from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with Evangelist Mike Silva from Luis Palau Association. 541-447-5710.

Reedsport: Community prayer gathering at Hahn Park at noon. The Coast Guard will present the colors and pastors and city leaders will pray for the community, state and country. 541-271-4414

Redmond: Let Freedom Ring is the theme for the Hour of Prayer noon to 1 p.m. at the Cascade Swim Center at Antler & Rimrock. The meeting is sponsored by Central Christian School. 541-548-7803

Redmond: Community Breakfast at Redmond Community Church from 7 to 8:30 am (237 NW 9th Redmond) with speakers from the Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, the mayor and pastors. Call Linda, 541-548-8158

Redland: St Philip Benize Church (18681 S Redland Rd , Oregon City) will have their annual 24 hour fasting and prayer with a community prayer at 9am ending with a "break-fast" soup and bread potluck and prayer at 6:15pm in the parish hall. 503-631-7354 Salem: Community Prayer Meeting at the Capital Mall across from the State Capital from noon to 1p.m.

Salem: Oregon State Capitol in Hearing Room C from 10 to 11:30 a.m., sponsored by Stonecroft Ministries. Call Carla, 503-472-4325 or Bonnie, 503-689-3320

Salem: Salem Alliance Church from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m., sponsored by Mom's In Touch. 555 Gaines St NE, Call Gail, 503-375-3089

Seaside: Community Prayer Breakfast at Seaside Dooger's Restaurant, 505 Broadway, from 7:30 to 9 a.m .Prayer, worship and scripture. 503-738-9334

Seaside: Countywide prayer gathering at the City Hall flagpole at 12:15pm.

Silverlake: Silverlake Church of the Bible (Hwy 31) will be open for prayer from 10am to 6pm. Call Pastor Leon Baker 541-576-2367

Sweet Home: Hillside Fellowship Free Methodist Church from 7 to 9 p.m. with Boy Scouts to present the colors. Everyone is invited to come a pray at 501 W Nandina St. 541-367-5330

The Dalles: Sorosis Park from 5:30 to 7 p.m, there will be a time of prayer and fun with music by the Home School Band; Pastor Bob Middleton in prayer; "Hungry," a skit by Life in Christ Drama Team, Bell ringing by Sonrise Academy; and "Freedom," a skit by Lyle Celebration Center

Tigard: Community Day of Prayer meeting at Tigard Christian Church at 7 p.m. at 13405 SW Hall Blvd. 503-639-5713.

Tillamook: County churches and intercessors met at the Tillamook County Courthouse (201 Laurel Ave) for prayer from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Call Richard Gitschlog of the Tillamook Men for Christ, 503-842-5590.

Warren: A prayer service for the community at Warren Community Fellowship Church from noon to 1 p.m.

Warrenton: Seaside Christian Church (88786 Dellmoor Loop Rd) will have the church open for prayer from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a special time for praise from 6 to 7 p.m.. 503-738-5182.

Welches: Hoodland Community National Day of Prayer will meet at the Arrah Wanna Baptist Camp from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at 24075 E Arrah Wanna Blvd. 503-622-5525

West Linn: Willamette Christian Church from 7 to 9 p.m. The sanctuary will be divided into sections for prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. 2015 10th Ave. 503-656-2328.

Winston/Roseburg: New Hope Church in the Green (5995 Old Hwy 99 S, Roseburg) will have prayer starting at 7pm. 541-679-4317. CLARK COUNTY, WASH.

Brush Prarie: A "Prayer Celebration" at Prarie High School 6-8 p.m. Sunday, May 2. 360-687-1537

Ridgefield: Prayer gathering at Mountain View Christian Center, 259th Street, at 7 p.m. 360-687-1537.

Vancouver: Praise and Prayer, Sunday May 2 at Prairie High School (117th Ave north of Orchards at 119th St). 360-699-7208.

Vancouver: A prayer meeting at Vancouver City Hall at noon with various pastors of the city. Call Pastor Ron Hart of the Walnut Grove Church in Vancouver, 360-256-1140.

Vancouver: Seven-church gathering at First Church of God, 3300 N.E. 78th St., at 7 p.m.