Day of Prayer
DAY?OF?Prayer observances were held at many venues throughout the Ohio Valley Thursday. Pictured above is the service held at noontime near the Belmont County Courthouse in St.?Clairsville. At left, a program was held at Bellaire’s historic park. The St. John Grade School choir sang several selections and Pastor Bill Marinelli performed the services.
T-L Photo/ROBERT?A.?DEFRANK
Day of Prayer
THERE IS an adage that we have heard many times – “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”
Today across America, The National Day of Prayer Observance takes place, and people of many faiths, colors and ethnic backgrounds will gather in churches, parks, on street corners and on courthouse steps to pray for our nation, its leaders, the media, military, businesses, schools, churches and families. This year’s theme is “Prayer…America’s Hope.”
Many times in history, our national leaders have called the people to prayer. We witnessed that when our nation was attacked by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, and again when we had the massacres on college campuses and in some of our schools and workplaces.
We need to pray and ask God to help us in our difficulties. We need Him to provide wisdom to those who lead us – to give courage to our armed forces and to those who protect us at home and abroad. We ask Him to give to them strength and hope and inspire us to be a nation at prayer. It is our belief that a nation at prayer will be a nation at peace.
It is also important for us to remember that we must pray every day and not just when we want or need something. When we do pray and get what we ask for, we then tell God “you can go and hide and when we need you again, we will let you know.”
We cannot keep breaking God’s laws and expect Him to help us when we need it. There will come a time, and maybe that time is now, when He will tell us, “no – not until you return to me with your whole heart and mind.”
We must make God a welcome guest in our homes and in our hearts and everywhere in our beloved America. We must make our family lives strong and the abuse and neglect of our children and the elderly must cease. We must make our homes sanctuaries of love and peace and a place where our children will feel safe and secure. And mom and dad, teach your children to pray and show them by example.
We must never become discouraged when things are going bad because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering, and yes, during times of national strife. We have to take time, get on our knees and ask Him for help.
Remember, no matter how eloquent or simple our words may be, God will hear us. No matter what the season, no matter how many problems and concerns we have, let us be at peace and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. Let us be grateful for every day of our lives and for our many blessings.
There is still hope for America and the world because there are more people who pray than who do not. There are more good people than bad ones.
We urge everyone to offer your prayers for our country, for peace in our world and for a vibrant and strong economy. And pray not only today, but everyday.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “If we do right, God will be on our side, and if God is with us, we cannot fail.”
Day of Prayer
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