On the first Thursday of May every year, the United States observes National Day of Prayer. On May 2nd, various ethnic and religious communities in Alameda County in the East Bay came together to hold a prayer event for the United States.
The event took place at 6 p.m. that day at the outdoor theater of the Alameda County Fairgrounds, where about 20 representatives from elected officials and different religious groups such as Christian, Mormon, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and others took turns to come on stage praying in various languages and ways for the survival and prosperity of the United States.
The organizers of the event expressed that the United States was founded by people seeking religious freedom and has become a country that the world admires. However, currently, the country faces political divisions possibly more stark than since the Civil War, and ideological polarization is deepening.
Tonight, people from different backgrounds and beliefs gathered with the desire that everyone can enjoy freedom and justice, coming together to pray for our nation.
David Haubert, the County Supervisor for District 1 in Alameda, stated that the United States seems to be in an endless crisis, facing a myriad of issues at the national, global, and local levels, including homelessness, food insecurity, drug addiction, conflicts, economic crises, and attacks on American values.
These challenges not only shake our spirits but also leave many people in distress. Therefore, aside from praying for our country and leaders, it is encouraged for everyone to pray for what is most crucial and needed in their own lives.
Pastor Terry Sykes from Camp Parks led the prayers, emphasizing that fighting for freedom is a marathon. When you go through hellish trials, keep moving forward. Your mission is to pursue freedom for all.
Representing the Pleasanton Muslim Community Center, Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi mentioned that when you pray for a snake, God does not answer your prayer. However, your prayers will always be answered in some way; hence, never give up on prayer.
This prayer event was organized by the Alameda County Interfaith Advisory Council.
Led by Huang Qizhen, the Executive Director of the Northern California Tzu Chi Foundation, nearly 20 volunteers prayed through songs, while representatives from the Buddhist Cloud Dharma Zen Temple also participated in the prayer ceremony.
The National Day of Prayer in the United States was established by Congress in 1952 through legislation. In 1988, Congress made amendments to set the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of May each year. Prior to the National Day of Prayer, the President issues a proclamation calling on the nation to pray on that day before God’s presence. ◇