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'One Nation Under God'; Residents turn out for day of prayer
Local residents filled the Lunt Lobby of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on Thursday morning for this year's Community Prayer Breakfast, held in conjunction with the 2012 National Day of Prayer.
The theme for this year's event was "One Nation Under God." It was sponsored by the Fort Scott Kiwanis Pioneers Club, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Scott Ministerial Alliance.
The location's gathering was new this year. Breakfast was provided by Judy and Jerry Witt of Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel.
The program included the presentation of the colors by the Fort Scott National Historic Site Color Guard. The featured speaker was Patty LaRoche, who talked about the power and importance of prayer and received a standing ovation following her remarks.
"It is imperative that we pray," she said.
LaRoche defined prayer as "communication with God."
"It's something we do with God so God has something to do with us," she said.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard conducted a flag-folding ceremony and explained what each fold represents.
Robert Nelson led those attending in singing "We all are One in Mission," with Carolyn Tucker accompanying him on the piano. Kevin Moyers, pastor of Community Christian Church, closed the program with prayer.
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.