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Mid-Ohio Valley communities observe National Day of Prayer

By EVAN BEVINS and BRETT DUNLAP 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- People gathered across the Mid-Ohio Valley and around the country Thursday to pray for leaders, schools, families and more as part of the annual National Day of Prayer.

Tim Baer, who helped coordinate some of the local events, said part of the appeal of the Day of Prayer is that "we're all doing this together as the nation and as the church."

This year's theme, established by the privately funded National Day of Prayer Task Force, was based on a portion of the biblical scripture James 5:16, which states that "the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

"If we even believe the word in the Bible is true, then we should expect to see answered prayers," Baer said.

At a Thursday morning observance in front of the Vienna City Building, Pastor Brian Leversee of Fellowship Baptist Church prayed for God's guidance for elected leaders from the president to local officials.

"You put those in power who are to be in power, God, and you can turn even the heart of a king," Leversee said.

Over 70 people gathered at Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg at around noon with local pastors and others praying for the military, churches, families, schools, law enforcement, health care, government, youth, the economy, behavioral health/addiction and more.

Pastor Jim Sallie of the Redeemer Church in Parkersburg called Thursday's event "a call to prayer," also referencing the thematic verse from James.

"Therefore confess your sins and pray for one another that you may be healed," he said. "A call to prayer is a call to faith."

Sallie said the people of God are called to pray for one another and this mutual prayer leads to mutual confession.

"We are to pray for one another," he said.

Sallie said a righteous person is not without sin, but is a person who is dependent on God.

"The scriptures teach us to acknowledge our many sins, not concealing them from our heavenly father, but confessing them with humble and obedient hearts that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite wisdom and mercy," he said.

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said throughout generations prayer has been an anchor for many people searching for guidance, hope and wisdom in times of hardship and sharing love and gratitude in seasons of joy.

"As we rejoice in the positives and seek consolation in troubling times, prayer is constant," he said. "People of nearly every background and denomination have turned to prayer for comfort and inspiration.

"Prayer remains the most precious gift we have as Christians, and it is our direct access to the heavenly father. Regardless of time and place, prayer is always available."

Prayer brings hope to many as well as peace, calm, love and guidance to communities and individuals, the mayor said, adding it provides protection to those facing many challenges and those who find themselves alone.

"Prayer gives strength to our leaders, first responders and all who are tasked with creating a better tomorrow for our youth and a safer today for our elders," Joyce said. "For those who have not known or forgotten the power of prayer, may they realize and recognize the greatest source of power and inspiration known to mankind."

At the same time, more than 50 people came together for prayer and music at the gazebo at East Muskingum Park in Marietta.

Speakers prayed for the church, businesses and workplaces, first responders, the arts and entertainment and families. Washington County Commission President Kevin Ritter prayed for the educational system, saying "many of our schools are now indifferent and even hostile to you (God)."

Pastor Mark Eaton, of Porterfield Baptist Church, prayed for the church as a body, mentioning some societal issues often seen as controversial while asking that "we will continue to speak the truth in love."

Tim Craft, pastor of the Reach United church in Parkersburg, prayed that the area "would not be known for drug addiction, that it would be known for freedom in Christ."

The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, according to nationaldayofprayer.org, a website of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which promotes a Judeo-Christian expression of the day.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com.

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