"For Your Great Name's Sake, Hear Us ... Forgive Us ... Heal Us" is the theme of the 2017 National Day of Prayer Event, which is scheduled forMay 4. This year's theme is taken from Daniel 9:19.

First established in 1952 by President Harry S. Truman, the goal of the event is to encourage people of all faiths to pray for this nation and its leaders.The day has been observed on the first Thursday in May since 1988, when Truman's bill was amended by President Ronald Reagan.The National Day of Prayer Task Force, established in 1972, estimates this year's event will include more than 35,000 prayer gatherings throughout the United States. That number will include a gathering in Tamaqua.Hosted by Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, the event will be held at noonin front of Tamaqua Borough Hall, 320 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.For more information, visit www.NationalDay of Prayer.org.All are welcome to attend.