WNY Scout Council to participate in Boy Scouts' historic Worldwide Day of Prayer

More than 140 councils from 4 continents to read sacred texts on May 2

Submitted by the Western New York Scout Council, BSA

The Western New York Scout Council, BSA is coming together with Boy Scouts around the world for the first Worldwide Day of Prayer for Scout Councils.

On Thursday, May 2, more than 1,300 confirmed Scouts across 140 councils worldwide will combine in the Scouts’ joint effort. Scouts from the Far East, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Europe will join the U.S. Councils, representing four of the world’s continents.

In total, an estimated 400 hours of sacred texts will be read by Scouts in one day.

“We are very pleased to have the Far East and the Transatlantic councils participate in this event, a truly wonderful vision,” said Don Dare of the Scouts BSA national religious relationships committee. “Our world needs the power of prayer and positive action more than ever. This duty to God event allows Scouts to broaden their faith and deepen their spirituality. We invite every Scout and person to join us on this momentous day.”

Combined, the Scouts will read the entire sacred texts of the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant faiths, as well portions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Eastern Orthodox, Sikh, and other faiths’ sacred texts. Scouts will have the option to read their respective faith’s sacred texts either at home or at a faith location of their choosing.

“The WNY Scout Council is pleased to participate in the Day of Prayer with Scouts throughout the U.S. and world,” said Gary Decker, Scout executive and CEO of the WNY Scout Council, BSA. “The 12th point of the Scout law is a Scout is reverent. Participation in this historic reading of sacred texts demonstrates our Scouts’ commitment to their own religious beliefs while also respecting the different beliefs of others.”

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.” The BSA welcomes all of America’s youth, including girls and young women, into our programs. Our goal is to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow with us in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have been through our programs since our founding, and currently more than 1 million youth are served by 460,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country. 

The Western New York Scout Council provides youth with character development programs and values-based leadership training. The council serves more than 7,000 youth and adult members in Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties. For more information, call 716-891-4073 or visit www.wnyscouting.org.