LIHUE — The 67th annual observance of the National Day of Prayer on KauaI will take place on Thursday at the Rotunda of the Lihue Civic Center.
Two services will be observed.
Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai will begin the event at 9 to 10:30 a.m., followed by the Kauai Island Ministries sponsored event at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This year, the Kauai Island Ministries service is coordinated by Pastor Steve Franks and Minister Victoria Franks of King’s Chapel.
The theme for the 2018 National Day of Prayer is “Pray for America – Unity,” based upon Ephesians 4:3, which challenges believers to mobilize unified public prayer for America, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
“Every town, city, and county in America needs to have a prayer observance for our nation on the upcoming National Day of Prayer,” said Dr. Ronnie Floyd, President of the National Day of Prayer. “America needs to be saturated with prayer on Thursday, from small towns to state capitals to Washington, DC, as Christ followers, we should do all we can to pray for our nation on this special day.”
IROK includes representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahai, Brahma Kumaris, Eckankar, Happy Science, Center for Spiritual Living, Fellowship of the Inner Light, Christian Mysticism, New Thought/Unity, yoga, secular humanism, among others, and welcomes all religions, spiritual paths and spiritual education organizations.
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance of prayer for the nation dating back to a call in a joint resolution of Congress signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1952.
Every year, local, state, and national observances are held from sunrise in Maine to sunset in Hawaii, uniting Americans from all socio-economic, political, and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for the nation. At state capitol buildings, in county courthouses, on the steps of city halls, and in schools, businesses, churches, and homes, people stop their activities and gather for prayer.
Dr. Ronnie Floyd’s office has requested that Kauai holds a Sunset Observance at Poipu Beach Park at 6 p.m. Thursday. All are welcome.
Notably missing from the article was any reference to Muslims. Surely, the second most popular religion in the world deserves a seat at the table, too. Or does Trump’s proposed Muslim ban extend to anyone practicing the religion, as well? If, like is stated in the article, the unified public prayer for America is making every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace, then why are Muslims being excluded?
Curiously, IROK doesn’t appear to miss anyone else. They include representatives of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahai, Brahma Kumaris, Eckankar, Happy Science . . . . .” Hold on . . . What? Happy Science? IROK recognizes a cult, but not Islam? Vely intelesting.