To the editor:

Will the National Day of Prayer become a thing of the past? On April 15, a Federal U. S. District Judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional, citing that the government cannot enact laws supporting a day of prayer.

However, Congress established the day in 1952.

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history.

There is a nationwide petition to President Obama to save the National Day of Prayer. You may sign via the Internet at www.nationaldayofprayer.org.

The Peabody observance of the National Day of Prayer will be at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Senior Center, 106 Walnut. If you want to join others first for lunch at noon, please reserve your meal at the center by calling (620) 983-2226.

Organizers of the National Day of Prayer will not bash other religions, will not bash political parties, and will not bash our elected leaders. They will acknowledge God as the Sovereign Ruler over all His creation. We will give thanks and praise to God for the freedom and blessings of living in this country, and we will pray in the name of Jesus Christ for the leaders and all who are in authority in our nation.

Stand up for your right to the freedom of religion by kneeling in prayer to the One whose motto we use: In God We Trust.

Linda Eden, President
Peabody United Methodist Women