For the third consecutive year, the public will have the opportunity to gather at the historic Ringgold Depot to celebrate and observe the National Day of Prayer.

“We’re very thankful for the continuous support we’ve received from the city of Ringgold, and we are extremely excited about this year’s event,” said event organizer Clyde Painter, pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Rocky Face. “It means a lot that the city allows us to have this event.”

Thursday will mark the 61st annual nationwide observance of the National Day of Prayer, which was made an of-ficial day of observance in 1952. It will be the third year Ringgold has hosted an event to recognize the day.

“The day is dedicated to prayer of any and every kind,” Painter said. “From government, community and family, to the struggles that the country endures, people can gather and pray for whatever is weighing on their hearts.”

The theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer is “One Nation Under God.”

“Last year’s turnout was fantastic, and it really came at a time of need on the heels of the tornado,” Painter said. “We gathered in the middle of a downtown that had been heavily damaged, and I really believe that it did a lot for those affected by the storm.”

The gathering will take place on the Depot lawn, weather permitting.

“We’re expecting to have it out on the lawn like we’ve done the past two years, but if the weather doesn’t cooper-ate then I guess we’ll have to move everyone inside the Depot,”

The event is from noon to 1 p.m. and will include a variety of speakers and pastors from the community.