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Mid-Ohio Valley residents gather for National Day of Prayer

Photo by Evan Bevins Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp, fourth from left, speaks during the National Day of Prayer observance at the flag pole Thursday in front of the city building.

PARKERSBURG — Pastors and parishioners gathered in Wood and Washington counties Thursday morning to ask God’s blessing on local residents, government, the state and the nation.

They were joined by believers around the country on the annual National Day of Prayer.

Twenty-one people encircled the flag pole at the Vienna City Building.

“We are so blessed in our lives, not only here in Vienna, but in the United States,” Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp said after the ceremony. “I think it’s our duty to pray and say thank you and acknowledge the gifts we are given.”

Rapp, a couple of pastors, longtime mayor’s prayer group member Jane Baer and acting Parks Director Eddie Atkinson offered prayers of thanks for first responders working to keep residents safe, requests for guidance to civic and church leaders and prayers for healing of those battling addiction.

Photo by Evan Bevins Pastor Jim Sallie, right, with Redeemer Anglican Church in Parkersburg, says a prayer during the National Day of Prayer observance Thursday at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg.

Pastor Justin Enoch of the Warehouse Church in Parkersburg prayed for President Donald Trump, “whether you agree or disagree” with the commander in chief. Enoch said the motivation was not political, but Biblical.

“The Bible says all authority comes from God,” he said. “As Christians, we’re called to put down our personal beliefs and pray for the leaders of our country.”

Day of Prayer observances simultaneously were held at noon in Parkersburg, Williamstown and Marietta.

About a dozen people gathered in the shade of the canopy at Parkersburg’s Bicentennial Park, while others looked on from beneath the large tent where a number of downtown workers eat outside on warm days like Thursday.

Chaplain Maj. Joe Ward, with the West Virginia Army National Guard and also pastor of Tri City Baptist Church in Parkersburg, prayed for those serving in the military and their families.

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Willliamstown Strings members play during the National Day of Prayer ceremony at Williamstown City Hall.

“We pray that when we send our sons and daughters into harm’s way, Lord, that the cause would be just and right,” he said.

Chris Longgrear with Fresh Fire Ministries reminded Christians of their responsibilities.

“You give hope to the hopeless, help to the helpless, love to the unloved,” he said. “(Jesus) said, ‘By your love, they’ll know, they’ll realize, they’ll recognize, you are my disciples.'”

At both observances, Baer prayed for God’s influence to be in all aspects of American life, from every branch of government to education and the arts.

“America belongs to you,” she said. “We’re taking it back.”

Photo by Evan Bevins Fresh Fire Ministries founder Christopher Longgrear speaks during Thursday’s National Day of Prayer observance at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg.

In Williamstown the Day of Prayer was observed at the steps of the city hall at noon. Mayor Jean Ford read a proclamation calling on all citizens to pray.

“We know the citizens will gather together at the city hall, or in their homes or places of business, place of worship each after his or her own manner and pray for unity in the hearts of all mankind,” she said.

Following the proclamation two music groups from local schools performed.

Mayor Tom Joyce and other representatives of local churches and the anti-drug effort High on Hope Ministries also spoke. Eric Tucker, youth pastor at Liberty Street Church, said he liked the diversity of the group.

“I really appreciate the fact that (there are) a lot of pastors from a lot of backgrounds,” he said. “We’ve got old guys; we’ve got young guys. It really says a lot for the city.”

Photo by Jeffrey Saulton Members of the Wood County Christian School Praise Band performed during the National Day of Prayer ceremony at Williamstown City Hall.

Parkersburg resident Vicki Sullivan called the event “awesome.”

“There is great power in prayer. I just wish more people had come down,” she said, before adding, “But it says two can put 10,000 to flight,” in reference to Deuteronomy 32:20.

Photo by Evan Bevins West Virginia Army National Guard Chaplain Maj. Joe Ward prays for members of the military and their families during Thursday’s National Day of Prayer observance at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg.

Photo by Evan Bevins Warehouse Church Pastor Hustin Enoch, second from left, prays for local and national leaders during the city of Vienna’s National Day of Prayer observance Thursday morning in front of the city building.

Photo by Evan Bevins Nearly two dozen people gathered around the flag pole in front of the Vienna City Building Thursday to join in prayer as part of the National Day of Prayer.

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