On Thursday, area churches and communities are celebrating National Day of Prayer, which calls on people of all faiths to pray for the nation and its leaders.

National Day of Prayer was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1952 and is observed annually the first Thursday in May.

The following are area observances:

• Resurrection Life Church, 627 Newome Road. 8 a.m. Prayers will be offered for the nation, government officials, veterans and the people of America.

• Town of East Spencer, Town Hall, 105 S. Long St. 11 a.m.-noon. The speaker will be Chaplain Jason Brown, a youth minister and member of Providence Baptist Church. Other pastors of different faiths will participate.

• Town of China Grove, China Grove Roller Mill Museum, 308 N. Main St. Noon. Prayers will be led by area pastors for families, outreach agencies, schools, public safety workers, the government, churches and more. In case of rain, the observance will be moved inside. It is sponsored by the South Rowan Ministerial Association.

• Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, 817 S. Main St. Noon. A prayer service will be held at the church.

• Landis American Legion Post 146, 412 N. Central Ave. 5:30 p.m. The guest speaker is the Rev. David Franks. The obervance will be followed by fellowship and light dinner refreshments.

• Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church, 500 Partee St. 6:30-7:30 p.m. The Salisbury District Christian Education Department organized the observance with a theme of “For Your Great Name’s Sake.” A meditation will be led by the Rev. Dr. Grant Harrison Jr., presiding elder of the Sensational Salisbury District.