Americans of all faiths will gather Thursday to participate in the annual National Day of Prayer.

Held on the first Thursday of May, the event has been set aside as a day to ask for God’s help for our communities, our states and our nation.

The annual commemoration has been held nationally since 1952, with local events in our area being held for many decades.

Local observances are set for several locations.

They will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Wintersville, outside of the village’s Municipal Building at 200 Grove St.

Then, at noon, Weirton residents will gather in front of the Weirton Municipal Building, with members of the Weirton Ministerial Association leading services, while in Wellsburg, the community will meet at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall located on 12th Street.

Steubenville also will host a service, beginning at noon, at Historic Fort Steuben.

In addition to local events, the national observance will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday. That event will air nationally on television, radio, websites, social media platforms and streaming services. Visit nationaldayofprayer.org for information..

This year’s theme is “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled,” based on scripture found in Romans 15:13, which reads “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” It is a call to release burdens and be filled with joy, peace, and hope.

It’s an appropriate theme, one that offers a reminder that prayer needs to be an integral part of the solution to our problems.

The right to practice our faith is one of the greatest freedoms we enjoy as Americans. The National Day of Prayer continues to offer a great opportunity to use that freedom as a way to bring about positive change.