Peoria, Pekin National Day of Prayer events set for May 1

PEORIA—Christians from across the Tri-County area are being encouraged to unite at local 2025 National Day of Prayer gatherings on May 1.

The national theme will be “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled” based on Romans 15:13. The event has been held annually since 1983 on the first Thursday of May.

The Peoria event will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Clocktower Plaza, 100 NE Water St., the corner of Main and Water streets.

Prayer time will feature a variety of Christian leaders from throughout the area, including Adam and Kelli Moser of the ministries Arise309 and Innovative Faith, Carrie Mack of Heaven’s View Christian Fellowship, Linda Butler of First Congregational Church in Lacon, Bob See of Arise309 and Agape School of Supernatural Ministry, and Ryan Foster of the Agape School and Budded Mattah. 

Other pastors and church leaders are expected to be there to help lead prayer.

The pop-up praise group The Church Has Left the Building will lead praise and worship.

“We’ll have the music and some people praying, and then we’ll have people break up into small groups and pray,” Adam Moser said. 

The Peoria gathering had to be moved from its traditional site of the Peoria County Courthouse Square because of construction, he said. The time was set later than normal so that, hopefully, more people would be free to attend. Peoria’s Day of Prayer gathering has traditionally been at noon.

With the evening time, “Parents can come with their kids more easily,” Moser said.

Promotional material says that the Peoria prayer gathering “will focus on praying for the needs of our country, our region, and more.” Attendees are encouraged to bring water, chairs, blankets, and anything else needed.

A Pekin National Day of Prayer event will be held at the Tazewell County Courthouse from 5 to 6 p.m. that day, led by Gary Crull of the Pekin Lighthouse Church of God.