National Day of Prayer takes on special meaning after Garland shooting

Area church and civic leaders will ask for God’s wisdom and protection during Thursday’s National Day of Prayer, which they say is taking on a special meaning after police in Garland killed two gunmen outside an event Sunday devoted to cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad.

On Tuesday, the Islamic State militant group claimed that the gunmen were two of its “soldiers.”

“In this day and world we live in, you can be walking down the street one minute, and the next minute you are dealing with a tragedy,” said Vicki Phillips, coordinator of Tarrant County’s National Day of Prayer. “It is so important that we build a strong community of faith that is praying for our protection.”

Events are scheduled across North Texas, from Grace Covenant Church in Arlington to Southlake Town Square. One of the biggest in Tarrant County will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fort Worth’s Burnett Park, 501 W. Seventh St.

Organizers expect about 300 people to join this year’s gathering, which aims to mobilize prayer in America and encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture. The national day was created in 1952 by Congress and signed into law by President Harry Truman.

Johnny Macon of Macon Music will lead Thursday’s worship service. Joining him will be James and Robyn Vincent of Glory of Zion International, Rabbi Marty Cohen of Metroplex Messianic Fellowship, the Fort Worth police color guard, the Fort Worth Fire Department and many others.

Attendees are asked to bring boxed or canned goods for local aid agencies.

In case of rain, the event will move to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 917 Lamar St., in Fort Worth.

For a complete listing of local prayer events, go to nationaldayofprayer.org.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "National Day of Prayer takes on special meaning after Garland shooting."