Rain did not dampen the determination of the nearly 100 people who gathered on the Tucker County Courthouse square Thursday to join in the National Day of Prayer. Residents assembled with others to pray for the city, county, state, nation and world, and made a presentation to the Ed McDonald family for his service to the community.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Tucker County residents gathered Thursday to celebrate the National Day of Prayer and join together to ask for help with the state, nation and county. Tucker County Commissioner Lowell Moore said folks needed to be proud of the nation and appreciate the freedoms enjoyed in America.
“America was founded on freedom of speech, freedom of religion and Godly morals,” Moore said. “The National Day of Prayer is under attack as we speak. We are here today to pray to God for help with our nation, county and state. Prayer is intersession for our Father. God is our answer – if we only trust, believe and serve him daily.”
The Rev. William Brown offered a moment of silence in memory of Denny Evans Jr.
“He was a significant member of our community,” Brown said. “He was a coach, a father and a husband.”
Brown told those gathered that he thought folks pray for a nation, one community at a time and within that community, one heart at a time.
“If hearts change, the nation will change,” Brown said.
Moore said the National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by President Harry S. Truman and instituted by President Ronald Regan in 1988 as the first Thursday of every May.
“We are all thrilled that all of you came out to share this. It is a very important day and prayer is very important to our nation,” Moore said.
The Tucker County Veterans placed a wreath at the monument in from of the Tucker County Courthouse.
The Rev. Phil Dent of St. John’s United Methodist Church presented an award to Ed McDonald’s family recognizing his efforts for the community and the county.
“We appreciate all of his work and so we want to present his family with an award in honor of Ed McDonald,” Dent said.
During his National Day of Prayer message, Dent said the nation definitely needs prayer.
“We have slipped so far away from God and the Godly principles our country was founded upon,” Dent said. “We need to get back and the only way to do that is to start as individuals for our community and for our country. We need to pray for our president, we need to pray for our officers and we need to pray for America.”
Dent said it is important for our country that people have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“Christians need to pray two prayers – one is Lord, send the light to those who walk in darkness and Lord, let my light shine in the darkness,” Dent said. “When you pray, be prepared to be the answer to your prayer.”
Musical selections were performed by the Parsons United Methodist Church Sonbeams including Mont Miller, Deanna Canfield and Dana Corcoran, and Jim and Meg Budding.