Mayor John Tecklenburg today announced that the National Day of Prayer Charleston Observance will take place at Washington Square Park, located next to City Hall at 80 Broad Street, on Thursday, May 4th, 2023, at 11:30 am. The event is open to the public.
This annual event is part of a nationwide observance in accordance with a 1952 joint resolution by Congress signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, and a 1988 amended law signed by President Ronald Reagan designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer.
“This event marks Charleston's second annual National Day of Prayer observance as our nation and city unite in a day of national prayer and fellowship,” said Mayor Tecklenburg.
The thirty-minute program will begin with Mayor Tecklenburg’s official “Call to Observance,” followed by operatic soprano Saundra DeAthos of Charleston Opera Theater performing “Amazing Grace.”
Area clergy will then offer prayers on selected subjects, in the following order: “Prayer for Faith & Fellowship” by The Reverend Eric S.C. Manning of Mother Emanuel AME Church; “Prayer for Economic Prosperity” by The Reverend John Pharis of City Church of Charleston; “Prayer for Human Rights and Social Justice” by The Reverend Dr. Marshall Blalock of First Baptist Church of Charleston; “Prayer for Children, Youth and Families” by The Reverend Eleanora Ellington of Wesley United Methodist Church; and “Prayer for Public Safety” by The Rabbi Yossi Refson of the Center for Jewish Life – Chabad of Charleston.
In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in the Council Chamber inside City Hall.
