ALPENA — The National Day of Prayer Breakfast is an Alpena tradition with a long history.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance, designated by Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

The president is required by law to sign a proclamation each year, encouraging all Americans to take time to pray on this day.

President Harry S. Truman first proclaimed a National Day of Prayer to be observed on July 4, 1952. Each year since that date, Americans have observed the day in their own way. The observance was moved to the first Thursday in May by President Ronald Reagan and has been proclaimed each year since.

In Alpena, a National Day of Prayer Breakfast has been hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Alpena for many years. This meeting is open to all individuals of all faiths and beliefs who are looking for an opportunity to take a day to turn to God in prayer and meditation.

This year, the annual National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 1, and the prayer breakfast will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 351 Wilson St., Alpena. Doors will open at 6:30 a.m. and the event will begin at 6:45 a.m. Tickets to the prayer breakfast are $10 and are available from any Kiwanis member, with a limited number of tickets available at the door. Tickets are also available at the front desk of The Alpena News, 130 Park Place.