National Day of Prayer Observed

Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri at National Day of Prayer, Dandridge, TN
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Jefferson County celebrated Nation Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1, 2014, with several events across the County. As has become an annual tradition, the Dandridge Ministerial Association hosted a noontime service on the steps of the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse in Dandridge. Lending their vocals to the service were Nancy Longmire and Tammy Mouchet. National Day of Prayer was designated as the first Thursday of May by the United States Congress. In 1952, President Truman signed the bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer but leaving the date to the discretion of the sitting president. In 1988, the amendment was made to designate the first Thursday in May as National Day of Prayer. Though interest in celebrating the National Day of Prayer has been sporadic over the years, it found new wings when Reverend Billy Graham became a proponent of observing the day.