April 30th, 2025 Local News
St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Thursday, May 1, 2025 marks the annual National Day of Prayer—a tradition that began in 1952 when Congress established a day dedicated to prayer.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan officially designated the first Thursday in May as the permanent date for this nationwide observance. U.S. Missionary Chaplain for Law Enforcement, Kevin Kaplar, says the day serves as an opportunity for people of all faiths to unite in prayer, whether individually or in groups.
Locally, a public gathering for the National Day of Prayer will be held on the south lawn of the St. Francois County Courthouse beginning at 6 p.m. The featured speaker will be Rev. Ryan Retzer from East Side Church of God in Leadwood. Attendees are encouraged to come early and enjoy a mini-Gospel concert by Tara Barton starting at 5:30 p.m. Lawn chairs are recommended. In the event of rain, the gathering will move inside the courthouse foyer.
The event is sponsored by the St. Francois County chapter of the American Family Association.
