BAY AREA / National prayer day has yet to diversify / Some say event has been politicized, has evangelical slant

The National Day of Prayer Task Force urges people to pray for the "Freedom Five"--the government, media, church, family and education. President Truman called for a national day of prayer in 1952.

There are hundreds of events being held around the nation, including a group of 15,000 who will pray at the site of the Daytona 500. There are groups concerned that the National Day of Prayer has been somehow captured by evangelical right wing republicans. The reality is that any individual or group is encouraged to use this as "a suitable day for prayer" (Truman's words). All faiths and all denominations are encouraged to pray.