Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

Members of the South Ripley Ministerial Association, together with members of the community, met for a time of prayer on Thursday, May 1, around the courthouse square in Versailles. Pastors, government officials, and leaders in the schools and businesses observed the National Day of Prayer, which is always held the first Thursday in May. Here, pastors have the opportunity to pray for those in seven centers of power: government, military, media, business, education, church, and family.
Becky Pohle, pastor of the Tanglewood Baptist Church, offered prayer for the school leaders. After reading Luke 6:40, Pohle prayed for wisdom as they make decisions, and that the leaders would be able to “reach out to the students as they provide an education for them."

Members of law enforcement were declared “a blessing to us; a gift of God” by Chuck Clayton, Corban Ministries and Apostolic Resource. Clayton prayed for their protection as they keep peace in the community.

A blessing of prosperity was asked for the local businesses by Jeff Barnett, Versailles Community Church, while he urged leaders to take a strong stand against “illegal businesses.”

Those representing military - those currently serving, served in the past and their families, were asked to come forward, and received prayer lead by Karen Reynolds, New Marion Baptist Church. “It’s fitting that we can pray for them here at the veterans memorial,” said Reynolds.

Along with those mentioned, local pastors asked blessings on those who worked in the government offices. Church leaders and those who work in family ministries were remembered and received prayer asking for guidance and strength. The media, too, was lifted up in prayer, reminding those present that freedom of speech is a “rare and precious gift.”

The first call to prayer came in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in the forming of a new nation. In later years, the call for the nation to unite in prayer was issued by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and by Franklin D. Roosevelt before the invasion of Normandy. In 1952, Congress established the National Day of Prayer as an annual event, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The law was amended by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, designated the first Thursday in May as National Day of Prayer. Each year, the President signs a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray for leaders on this day.

BETH RUMSEY PHOTO Several gathered on the courthouse lawn in Versailles by the veterans memorial for the National Day of Prayer event sponsored by the South Ripley Ministerial Association. A number of ministers offered specific prayers for various entities including law enforcement, government leaders, school officials, military personnel, business leaders, and the media. The National Day of Prayer was established by Congress in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.