National Day of Prayer

Thursday evening at 7:00 at the downtown commons, Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, conservatives and liberals, will gather together despite our differences to pray for our community, our state, and our nation and those who serve us.  It’s an American tradition. 

            In the dark days of 1775 when the existence of the nation hung in the balance, the Continental Congress called for prayer.  Since that time, calls for prayer frequently rang out when prayer was our only hope and finally in 1952 President Truman signed a bill proclaiming an annual national day of prayer into law. 

            But we do not need to wait for one day in May.  As we drive through Buchanan whether we want the stop light to flash or turn red and green, we can pray for the city commissioners who listen to arguments pro and con and then make the best decision they can (which at least half of us won’t like!) 

            As volunteer firemen rush to the scene, we can pray for their safety and give thanks for their bravery and pray we will never lose them to tragedy.

 We can pray policemen will end their shift whole and well, for they never know if they will be involved in settling a domestic violence dispute or helping to unlock a pastor’s car.  All they know is they have been called to serve.

And let us not forget small business leaders who not only struggle to make a profit but donate hours after hours to building our community and making our downtown vibrant in creative and artistic ways, building a future on the bones of the past. 

The list goes on --- and I haven’t even finished with prayers for our community.  I haven’t mentioned the school system or RAM or volunteers for the Trail. 

This Thursday we have much to pray for, much to give thanks for.  Let us lift our voices together.