ALPENA — A National Day of Prayer event will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday on the lawn at Alpena City Hall. This year’s theme is “Lord, pour out your love, life and liberty.” The theme comes from the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, which states, “Now, the Lord is spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” The public is invited to attend this event and participate in prayer.

The annual ceremony has been held for more than 23 years in Alpena.

“The Alpena community and surrounding areas have fully embraced and have generously supported this vital part of our American heritage,” a press release said. “Originally, this day was designated by the U.S. Congress for the specific purpose of having American citizens turn to God in prayer. President Harry Truman signed the National Day of Prayer into law in 1952.”

In the release, organizers said that thousands of individuals, churches and communities have been working together to rally millions of Christians to once again heed this call to prayer.

“We have the boldness and conviction to pray for America because the word of God teaches us that our fervent prayers are effective and that our loving God responds to us with our earnest pleas in mighty ways that do avail much,” the release stated.