Purpose Statement for National Day of Prayer Breakfast South Bay / Torrance, CA

The National Day of Prayer was established by an Act of Congress and signed by President Truman (1952). In 1998, President Reagan established the first Thursday in May as National Day of Prayer.

Many credit the Continental Congress with issuing the first day of prayer in 1775. Thursday, May 7th, 2009 will be the 11th South Bay event locally and the 58th Day of Prayer nationwide. It is an occassion calling Americans of all faiths to pray for our community, state and national leaders.

In 1999, a prayer breakfast in the South Bay was initiated as an outlet for the South Bay communities of faith to gather supporting our local and national leaders. This local occurrence utilizes a format of breakfast, music, prayers and an inspirational message.

The annual gathering endeavors to bring lay people from various faiths together to ask God's blessing for our country plus show our unity as Americans and people who believe in the power of prayer. The hope is that by this gathering, congregations and civic leaders can feel the support and appreciation of the South Bay citizens.

Unique aspects of this local expression include ...

• A collective choir of singers from area congregations supporting the event.
  
  
• A layperson rather than clergy emcees the program in an effort to keep the event non-sectarian.
  
  
• Tickets are priced to cover actual costs, i.e., breakfast, musical expenses, room arrangements, printing and publicity, etc.
  
  
• The Steering Committee, composed of interested volunteers from local congregations, manages the annual program and selects the speaker.
  
  
• Area congregations are encouraged to invite governmental and civic leaders to be hosted by each faith group thereby personalizing the community's support.