Groups to observe national prayer day

Several Christian groups will hold National Day of Prayer observances in cities across the state today, recognizing the first Thursday in May as a time designated by Congress to remember and worship God.

The 55th annual observance is to be proclaimed by President Bush and all 50 U.S. governors, including Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who will participate in a clergy breakfast at the Little America Hotel this morning.

The Rev. Greg Johnson, who is the Utah chairman for the Colorado Springs-based National Day of Prayer Task Force, said to his knowledge, Huntsman's appearance is the first time a sitting Utah governor has participated in the celebration. "He's bringing a greeting and reading a proclamation. Every seat has already been reserved," he said.

Though other faith groups are free to organize their own observances, the National Day of Prayer Task Force is led by evangelical Christians through affiliation with Focus on the Family, and is the largest organizing group for locally sponsored events in the country.

The Rev. Johnson said evangelical Christian pastors will lead prayer and worship events in the following venues in addition to the Little America event:

• Salt Lake County Courthouse, 400 S. State, 6:30 to 8 p.m., featuring music and prayer for a variety of public issues.

• Park City buffet breakfast at the Yarrow Hotel, 1800 Park Avenue, 7:30 to 9 a.m., featuring Olympic medalist Derek Parra as the keynote speaker. Cost is $10 at the door.

• Orem City Offices, State Street and Center, around the flagpoles in front of the buildings from 7 to 8 p.m.

• Ogden Municipal Building steps, 2550 Washington Blvd., 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

• St. George area, picnic dinner and fellowship at Vernon Worthen Park, 300 S. 400 East, from 6 to 8 p.m. To date, there has been no resistance to holding the events locally in public venues, the Rev. Johnson said, adding that while evangelicals will lead the prayers, the public is invited to attend.

Two celebrations in Provo are being co-sponsored by Utah Valley State College's Interfaith Student Association and the Utah Valley Interfaith Association, which represents 40 different faith groups. Both events will include a variety of clergy from different faith traditions.

Controversy arose in Utah County two years ago over National Day of Prayer observances, which were then sponsored by the NDP Task Force and excluded prayer by religious leaders outside the evangelical Christian tradition. This year's interfaith events there will be held at: