National Day of Prayer at Nugget parking lot Thursday

Pahrump residents can take part in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, in an event being held at the Pahrump Nugget.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will feature three tents set up in the corner of the Nugget parking lot that faces Highways 160 and 372, holding various activities throughout the day.

“We have speakers that we have scheduled every half hour, and they will come and talk about what the nation and the town needs to do to counteract all the stuff that’s going on in the United States and the world,” said Edwin Dreese, pastor at Heritage Bible Church.

At noon the group of pastors attending the event will lead those in attendance in a group prayer. Everyone is welcome to attend the event.

Dreese said by having special occasions like the Day of Prayer, that those who usually ignore their faith, may participate more when it’s readily available.

“Awareness. That there is a need,” Dreese said. “If it’s in people’s faces, they’re more apt to realize what is going on and be more focused on things in their own lives. It will affect them sooner or later.”

The National Day of Prayer was designated by an act of Congress and has been taking place since 1952.

The constitutionality of the event has been unsuccessfully challenged in federal courts.

A proclamation by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 stating the intention of the day was “that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer” and renewed respect to God.

This year will mark the ninth year Pahrump has taken part in the national event, which is held annually on the first Thursday of May.

Pahrump first participated in the event May 3, 2007 with an estimated 150 people at Petrack Park.

For more information, call Pastor Ed at 702-496-4829, Pastor Ron at 775-910-9995, or Neva at 702-683-8413.