Kansas City National Day of Prayer Events
Christians across the Kansas City metro are expected to gather Thursday at courthouses, churches, city halls and public spaces as part of the 2026 National Day of Prayer, joining similar observances nationwide calling Americans to prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal.
This year’s National Day of Prayer theme is “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations,” drawn from 1 Chronicles 16:24. Organizers say the annual observance, held on the first Thursday in May, is focused on intergenerational prayer and seeking God on behalf of communities and the nation.
“OUR UNITED PRAYERS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR CITY AND NATION!” Pastor Gary Schmitz wrote in an announcement distributed this week through PrayKC and Citywide Prayer.
“We invite you to attend one or more of the 11 National Day of Prayer metro locations that we are helping facilitate this year,” Schmitz said. “We are desperate for a move of God, and for Him to pour out His Spirit in response to our prayers and worship.”
The gatherings will stretch across both sides of the state line, beginning with an early morning event in south Kansas City and concluding with an evening service in the Northland.
Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952, and President Ronald Reagan later designated the first Thursday in May as its permanent annual observance. Organizers across the country traditionally encourage prayer for government leaders, churches, schools, families, first responders and national unity.
Kansas City-area organizers said the local observances are intentionally spread throughout the metro so residents can attend events near where they live or work. Some locations will include worship music, pastors from multiple congregations and public prayer led by ministry and civic leaders.
Schmitz urged Christians not to see the gatherings as symbolic only.
“Join with thousands of believers across the USA to humble ourselves before our Creator God, repent of sins, and cry out for awakening and revival in our nation,” he said.
The following National Day of Prayer gatherings are scheduled across the metro on May 7:
• Kansas City, MO (South) – 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., Colonial Presbyterian Church, 9500 Wornall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64114. Contact Greg Ealey, 214-766-3098.
• Platte City, MO – 6:30 p.m., Platte County Courthouse Lawn, 415 3rd St., Platte City, MO 64079. Contact Michael Lazio, 816-520-5993.
• Kansas City, MO (Midtown) – 9 a.m. to noon, East Patrol Division, 2640 Prospect Ave., Kansas City, MO 64127. Contact Ray Mabion, 816-916-5315.
• Olathe, KS – noon to 1 p.m., Johnson County Courthouse, 150 W. Santa Fe St., Olathe, KS 66061. Contact Gary Kendall, 913-269-1026.
• Lenexa, KS – noon to 12:55 p.m., Foundry Church, 8835 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS 66219. Contact David McCowan, 231-798-5445.
• Shawnee, KS – noon to 1 p.m., Shawnee City Hall Front Steps, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS. Contacts Phil Kreiling, 913-449-6633, and Chris Winn, 913-485-6991.
• Overland Park, KS – noon to 1 p.m., Thompson Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS 66204. Contacts Patricia Brown, 913-486-8489, and Clint Hall, 913-205-9694.
• Leawood, KS – noon to 1 p.m., Leawood City Hall (Oak Room), 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood, KS.
• Northland Kansas City, MO – 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Harmony Vineyard Church, 600 NE 46th St., Kansas City, MO 64116. Contact John Brown, 816-587-8898.
• Prairie Village, KS – 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Prairie Village City Hall (Flagpole), 7700 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208.
• Lee’s Summit, MO – noon to 1 p.m., Lee’s Summit City Hall Front Steps, 220 SE Green St., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Contact Rod Handley, 816-309-7122.
National events will be broadcast on TBN, CBN, NRBTV, GodTV, Daystar, Christian Television Network and Salem radio to name a few.
–Metro Voice
