The communities of Andalusia and Opp will observe the National Day of Prayer with prayer services on May 4.

Bob Madsen, pastor of Andalusia First Presbyterian Church and president of the Greater Andalusia Area Ministerial Association, said the association would have a prayer service at noon that day on the Court Square.

“Ministers in the ministerial association will lead prayers for different areas of our national life,” he said. “It will last for about a half hour or so.”

Opp will hold its observance at city hall at noon, as well.

This year’s theme is “For Your Great Name’s Sake! Hear Us…Forgive Us…Heal Us!”

The theme is taken from Daniel 9:19, which says, “O Lord, Listen! O Lord, Forgive! O Lord, Heart and Act! For Your Sake, O My God…”

The event is held annually on the first Thursday of May and invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation.

The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.

Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.