Locals Gather to Commemorate National Day of Prayer

EASTFORD — Nearly 30 Eastford residents gathered at the flagpole at Eastford Elementary School on Thursday, May 7, to commemorate the National Day of Prayer — offering up a series of prayers for our nation. The program was bookended by the singing of “My Country 'Tis of Thee” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and featured a series of seven prayers for the church, family, education, business/workplace, the military, government, and arts, entertainment, and media.

Nationally, the theme of the 2026 National Day of Prayer was “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him in all Generations.”

The origins of the National Day of Prayer date back to Feb. 3, 1952, when, as part of his Washington, D.C. crusade, Rev. Billy Graham stood on the U.S. Capitol steps and challenged Congress to pass legislation establishing a National Day of Prayer in America. A bill was passed on April 17 of that year establishing the day. A National Prayer Committee was officially formed in 1979, and the first National Day of Prayer observance organized by the NPC took place at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., in 1983. The National Day of Prayer was officially established as the first Thursday of May in 1988, passed into law by President Ronald Reagan.

National Day of Prayer events were held across the Quiet Corner this year on May 7, including in Ashford, Woodstock, Thompson, Putnam, Pomfret, Killingly, Brooklyn, Plainfield, and Canterbury. Next year’s event is slated for Thursday, May 6, 2027. For more information on the National Day of Prayer, visit the National Day of Prayer website here.

Adam Minor photos