National Prayer Day making PV return
Apr 29, 2012 (Menafn - Pauls Valley Daily Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --PAULS VALLEY, Oklahoma -- The possibilities of ministry have always offered spiritual growth including personal as well as shared and is no less true when an entire nation comes together in prayer.
One such set aside opportunity is coming around once again through the National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 3 and leading the charge is Pauls Valley Ministerial Alliance President Terry Clayton. Familiar with the impact of when an entire community comes together through his years at the pulpit, he was surprised recently to learn Pauls Valley had not hosted the event in at least a few years and has set out to change that.
"I noticed this was one area we dropped the ball on," said Clayton, who is the pastor at First Church of God. "It unites all the people in a common, specific target and that's our country."
Clayton also hopes to encourage more people to show up and do better than the last time the prayer day was held in front of the Garvin County Courthouse when only 15-20 people showed up with the goal this time of at least 100. Joining him will be other PV ministers each offering a prayer around the flag pole starting at 12:10 p.m.
Clayton said he agrees with the sentiment of Shirley Dobson from Focus on the Family that we've already lost too many freedoms so far and that if we don't use a day like this, it may go away. Aside from spreading the word that every church is welcomed to show up, there has also been word spread to civic clubs and organizations like the PV Chamber of Commerce.
"The Courthouse is a focal point of the community and we want it to be visible," said Clayton. "A lot of people don't know there's a national day of prayer."
Expected to be prayed for will be along the lines of local, national, county and state leaders and those who serve from police to the armed forces, said Clayton, who will lead the service. There will aso be the national anthem performed and a lunch afterward at the First Presbyterian Church, which would serve as a backup in case of inclement weather.
"There's just so much we need to lift up in prayer," said Clayton. "It's a community event, not just one church."
___ (c)2012 the Pauls Valley Daily Democrat (Pauls Valley, Okla.) Visit the
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat (Pauls Valley, Okla.) at
www.paulsvalleydailydemocrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services
Copyright (C) 2012, Pauls Valley Daily Democrat, Okla.
