Organizers hope to harness the power of prayer when the local observance of National Day of Prayer is held this Thursday at noon at the Farmers Market pavilion.The nondenominational event will feature prayers from preachers representing a diverse sampling of our Christian community. The ceremony typically lasts 30 to 40 minutes with the crowd exceeding 100 people some years.Jeff Page of Locust Street Church of God says he finds it uplifting to gather together in prayer, especially with national politics starting to come into focus.“We’re entering an election cycle and I think it’s time to pray for those who are in office and those who will be going into office and pray for our country,” said Page, one of the organizers.Scheduled to pray are Coy Hathcock from Westwood Church of Christ, Bo Hendrix from First Baptist Church, John Jones from Sunny Hills Baptist Church, Jeff Kesley from Campaign Church of God, Don Spencer from Centertown United Methodist, and Page.Page points to a Bible verse, Second Chronicles, Chapter 7, Verse 14, as a reason to promote prayer.“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S Truman.