Ronnie Adkins admits he had no idea what to expect for the city of Moody’s first-ever National Day of Prayer event in 2009.

“We would’ve been happy with 150 people showing up,” he said. “We put out food for about 800.

“And we ran out.”

Adkins says he’s anticipating a showing of 1,000 people for this year’s Day of Prayer event at 5 p.m. today.

“Everybody’s welcome,” he said. “Come in, hang out, eat with us, leave when you need to.”

Originally signed into law in 1952, the National Day of Prayer was moved to the first Thursday in May in 1988 by then-President Ronald Reagan. Adkins and a number of area pastors made the decision to bring it to Moody in 2009.

“The city supported us by helping out with the park and being a partner,” he said. “We’ve really just kind of got some business partners and the churches and the city.”

This year’s event will feature live music, barbecue from the Lion’s Club and various other programs. Adkins says the first part of the program will be oriented toward patriotism, with “the churches taking over” as the hour grows later.

“It’s really a statement of community,” he said. “We want this Leeds-Moody-Odenville region to really thrive. It’s an opportunity as a church taking a leap.”

Twenty-five churches in the area took part a year ago, and Adkins says he feels confident in that many or more being involved this time.

The National Day of Prayer’s Web site outlines seven “points of prayer” for those who attend, and Adkins says the Moody event will also feature a prayer for salvation as an eighth point.

The event runs 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and is free to the public. Anyone who attends is encouraged to bring a canned food item to benefit the community.