City observes National Day of Prayer

By Owen Boss GARDNER — City officials, residents, and clergy members throughout the region gathered at the band shell in Monument Park at noon Thursday to celebrate the 57th annual National Day of Prayer, an event devoted to praying for the nation’s government leaders, public safety offices, media, military, schools, churches, businesses and families. The program offered prayers for the nation from eight different religious leaders from congregations throughout the region. Those on hand included representatives from the Bethany Baptist Church, the Bread of Life Church, the First Baptist Church, the Holy Rosary Church, Higher Ground Ministries, the Cornerstone Church, the Camelite Order, the Bethany Bible Chapel and the Evangelical Congregational Church. Throughout the event, speakers emphasized the importance of praying for the country this year, because with the presidential election looming, the nation is at a crossroads. Robert Thomas delivered “The Prayer for Our Nation,” a prayer asking for the guidance to elect someone into office that will lead the country in the right direction. Mayor Mark Hawke spoke at the event, and reminded those in attendance of how the event helps strengthen the community, and how important it is that the government grants its citizens the ability to practice their rights to religious freedom. “The event has been around for 56 years, it was created by a joint resolution in 1952,” said Mr. Hawke. “The National Day of Prayer is an interfaith intercession aimed at bringing together all faiths and all people. It grants us the opportunity as a community to come together and the event crosses over all faith lines.” Congress originally established the day of prayer in 1952 so that all Americans, regardless of religious background, could practice their rights to religious freedom by gathering publicly to pray for the good of the nation. oboss@thegardnernews.com Appeared on Page 5 on 5/2/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 105)