BENTON – The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
For years, county leaders and community members have assembled on the court square in Benton each year to participate in this event. Participants in the ceremony offer prayers for various branches of government, for media, schools, families and emergency responders. Former event coordinator, Mrs. Brenda Hodges, took care of local arrangements for a decade before stepping down in 2013. The ceremony today is organized by Deputy County Judge Executive Melonie Chambers.
While each ceremony is organized locally, the National Day of Prayer Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. Tomorrow’s ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m.
According to their website, it exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. 
The Task Force represents a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
According to www.nationaldayofprayer.org, the history of the NDOP began in 1952 when on April 17, a bill initiated by Mr. Conrad Hilton of Hilton Hotels and Senator Frank Carlson of Kansas was passed (Public Law 82-324) that said the President of the United States was to set aside an appropriate day each year, other than Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer.
IN 1974, The National Prayer Committee began as a subcommittee on prayer at the International Congress on World Evangelization held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1974. Out of the Lausanne gathering came the U.S. Lausanne Committee, now Mission America, and America’s National Prayer Committee.
In 1979, the National Prayer Committee was officially formed and today there are 18 members on the NPC Executive Board.
In 1981, businessman Joe Mays (Religious Heritage of America), David Bryant and the NPC group meet to cast the first vision for the National Day of Prayer. Contacts were made with the Public Liaison office of the White House to begin planning efforts.
In 1983, the first National Day of Prayer observance was held, taking place at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. with featured speakers Vice President George Bush and Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie.
In 1986, Vonette Bright and the National Prayer Committee contact Senator Strom Thurmond (R) for guidance on writing a bill that would designate a day for the National Day of Prayer.
In 1987, Senator Thurmond wrote the bill and introduced it to the Senate Judicial Committee. It became bill S.1378, which would amend public law 82-324.
In 1988, Thursday, May 8, Ronald Reagan signed into Public Law 100-307 the designation of the first Thursday in May as the annual observance for the National Day of Prayer.
1989: The NPC forms an Official Task Force for organizing events across the country in observance of the National Day of Prayer.
In 1998, Law was passed stating that the President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals. This law was signed by President Clinton.
On Thursday, May 7, 2015, it is anticipated that millions will observe the 64th Anniversary of the National Day of Prayer.