May 2, 2008 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The city’s spiritual leaders and residents came together Thursday to join with others across the country to mark the National Day of Prayer. The observance, hosted by the Connellsville Area Ministerial Association, drew approximately 50 people to Lions Square to offer prayers of guidance for national, state, county and local leaders, along with law enforcement, firefighters and emergency workers.

The 2008 theme, “Prayer! America’s Strength and Shield” encourages observers to believe in the power and strength of prayer, said the Rev. Bob Strader, pastor of the World Christian Outreach Ministries.

“As I look over all of the years and think of all of the changes our nation has been through, I can plainly see God’s divine providence at work,” he said as church bells tolled in the background. “I see where we were and I see where we are now; there were rough times and there are rough times now.

“But, through it all, prayer is what got our nation to where we are today. We can not allow any of the strategies of the enemy to hinder or stop us from getting on our knees and talking with God.”

Christians, said Strader, must not allow outside forces to distract them from their prayer life.

“I see today in this nation the trials and tribulations: that young people are losing hope; racial division; religious division; and economic division lines that keep us down and not bring us up,” he said. “I see today that we need a change.

“And I pray today on this National Day of Prayer for change.”

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States, when the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer in 1775.

In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, the law was amended to designate the observance for the first Thursday in May.

Strader explained that in 2008, the nation is at a crossroads as it goes to the polls to elect a new president and prayer must be employed for direction.

“It is time that we start interceding for America in prayer,” he said. “Intercessory prayer is not an option in a Christian’s life; we are called to stand in the gap for America and this is only done through prayer.

“America needs us to gird her up during these trying times; if we don’t lift her up in constant prayer, we will lose the battle.

“We are in deep spiritual warfare and the only way to fight it is with prayer.”

The noontime service followed an early morning prayer breakfast, while an evening service was later held at the Wesley United Methodist Church.

Also taking part in the service were the Geibel Catholic Chamber Ensemble; the Rev. Nate Milton, pastor of the Rocky Mount Baptist Church; the Rev. Barry Witt, pastor of the Faith Bible Church; the Rev. Dennis Roser, pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church; the Rev. Mark Van Bibber, pastor of New Life Fellowship; the Rev. Matt Goldsberry, pastor of the Calvary Assembly of God Church, soloist Yvonne Goldsberry, Connellsville city clerk Antoinette Tesauro and the Rev. Don Smith, president of the local ministerial association.