T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK O’Linda Woods with children Brylee and Bastian, not pictured, provide music during the National Day of Prayer celebrated at the courthouse plaza in St. Clairsville. The power of fervent prayer and necessity of repentance was the theme.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Courthouse plaza was a site of worship Thursday as members of the community marked the National Day of Prayer, organized locally by the St. Clairsville Area Council of Churches.

The theme was James 5:16B, to pray fervently in righteousness and avail much, indicating God hears and answers faithful prayers. The keynote speaker was the Rev. Jerry Wenger of East Richland Evangelical Friends Church. His talk focused on the necessity of repentance.

“I’m excited to be here. It’s always wonderful to come to the courthouse and have a time of prayer with brothers and sisters from all different churches in the valley. I’m really hoping we’ll have an attitude of repentance as a nation and as a people of God,” he said.

Wenger referred to the Book of Nehemiah, which refers to Nehemiah, a Jewish leader who supervised the rebuilding of Jerusalem after his release from Persian captivity, according to encyclopedia Britannica.

“Before he can build it, he has to have himself and the people repent and really seek the will of God, and that’s what we’re praying for here today: a heart of repentance among God’s people.”

He said enthusiasm is high.

“A lot of excitement and privilege. This is a great time to live. We’ve got a great time to live and represent the kingdom of God, to speak up for the truth of God. This is a great time, a great time in history,” Wenger said. “I think there’s a lot of discouragement out in the communities politically and socially and culturally, but we have the opportunity to shine the light of Christ, and that’s what I want to encourage my brothers and sisters to be the light of Christ in the midst of the darkness.”

The Rev. David St. Aubin, senior pastor at Thoburn United Methodist Church, gave the national prayer for America. He offered prayers for the community, nation and world.

“The hope here is people can come together and as a community continue to lift up in prayer those concerns that are taking place around the world,” he said.

St. Aubin said the COVID-19 pandemic and other events have proven difficult for many, and faith is valuable in a time of uncertainty.

“At Thoburn, things are going well. We are rebounding pretty well from coming out of the pandemic. Attendance is up, membership is up,” he said.

The Rev. Dean Myers of the Harbor of Hope Assembly of God led the welcoming prayer.

Organizer Barbara Griffiths, with the council of churches, said Sheriff David Lucas would lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the St. Clairsville American Legion post 159 was scheduled to present the flag.

Cumberland Trail Fire District Chief Tim Hall led the prayer for military and emergency services.

“I think it’s a good day to pray for the safety of our military at home and abroad and the first responders that serve the community every day, and reflect on what they do,” Hall said.

The Rev. Gary Eller of the Emmanuel Baptist Church led the prayer for social welfare.

“What I’m hoping for is to challenge our people to rise up and to bring leaders, to educate leaders and to have moral values and to stand upon what truth is,” he said.

“Our church is rebounding. We’re starting to rebound from COVID,” he said, adding that people can find guidance in faith. “The word of God is enough.”

Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Judge Al Davies prayed for government and leaders.

Jennifer Johnson with LifeWise Academy, which offers Bible-based classes to local school children off campus, prayed for education and the family.

The Rev. Leonard Payne of the Family Life Ministry Church prayed for churches, clergy and church leaders.

Griffiths said the usual reading of the Bible in front of the courthouse was canceled.

“It rained all week,” she said.

O’Linda Woods provided music, and St. Clairsville Councilwoman Linda Jordan sang “Our Nation.” Jordan also presented a proclamation on behalf of the city. She said the Day of Prayer is a beloved event.

“Our committee is very excited about it. We’re very disappointed that we could not hold the Bible reading, but we’re excited about National Day of Prayer. It’s always an awesome time,” she said, noting she attends Harbor of Hope. “I think the congregations are coming back, at least at our church. Our people are coming back in. … There were times when we had to be closed and do virtual, but we’re all happy to be back in the house of the Lord.”