Community celebrates National Day of Prayer

Enid Large bows her head and reflects during the closing prayer at the 59th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning at the Fort Scott Community College cafeteria. (Michael Pommer/Tribune)

The cafeteria at Fort Scott Community College was full Thursday morning but not with students.

Local residents filled the cafeteria to participate in the 59th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast.

This year's theme to the event was "Prayer for such a time as this." The event was sponsored by the Fort Scott Pioneer Kiwanis, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Ministerial Alliance.

Community Christian Church Youth Minister Joe Banker provides piano accompaniment as the crowd sings "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" to close Thursday morning's breakfast. (Michael Pommier/Tribune)

The program opened with the presentation of the colors by the Fort Scott National Historic Site Color Guard and an invocation by Reverend Phil Wilson, pastor of the First Church of God. Community Christian Church Women's Ministry Coordinator Marcy Reynolds gave the keynote address in which she talked about honesty and truth. Following Reynolds' speech, Wilson led a closing prayer which was followed by De Ann Davis leading those in attendance in the singing of "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Community Christian Church Youth Minister Joe Banker accompanied the crowd on the piano and also provided special music during the meal.

On April 17, 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a bill proclaiming a National Day of Prayer must be declared by each following president at an appropriate date of his choice. In 1982 a National Prayer Committee formed to coordinate and implement a fixed commemorated day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May. A stated intention of the National Day of Prayer was that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer.