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The National Day of Prayer has been held annually for the past 71 years, and Franklin County government continued that tradition on May 4 with elected officials and key community and church representatives gathering at the Annex Building to join in unity to have life blessed at the local level.

The event stems from 1952 when U.S. soldiers were fighting in Korea, and President Harry S. Truman signed a congressional resolution calling for an annual National Day of Prayer. The purpose was for people to gather and pray for world peace.

Since 1988, the event has taken place on the first Thursday in May.

County Mayor Chris Guess welcomed the audience on May 4 and posed the question, “Why are we here and why do we do this?”

“Because it is important,” he answered to the audience which audibly agreed.

Guess then motioned to his left and right where a congregation of children from the Winchester Christian Academy was seated.

“The children are not just our future — they are our right now,” he said in response to the reason giving recognition for the National Day of Prayer is important for the local community.

Tom Maurer, WCA band director, then performed “Amazing Grace” on saxophone. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Pastor L.Z. Johnson from Cowan First Baptist Church, and the national anthem was sung by local musician Dr. Jerry Anderson.

Campora Family Resource Director Eric Vanzant was the first to lead the audience in a prayer, passionately speaking on behalf of education and the School System.

“We pray for these students, Lord. Protect and guide them,” Vanzant said, adding a prayer that the students find their purpose in life.

Chaplin Peter Gray of the University of the South led the prayer for higher education.

“We ask you to bless the centers of learning. Be with the students as they discover who they are in this world,” Gray said.

A prayer for the churches was given by Pastor John Patton of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist.

Patton began by asking the Lord to revive the hearts and renew the spirits of those in attendance.

“Help us keep your commands, Lord, and help us always keep your words in our hearts and on our lips,” he said.

General Sessions Judge David Stewart conducted a prayer for government and justice. He began by reading from two scriptures in First Timothy and Proverbs.

Stewart prayed: “Please bless our leaders and those in authority. Please place humility in their hearts and open them to understand the needs of the community they serve.”

He then added that leadership comes with burden and difficult decisions.

“Please surrounded the leaders with grace and strength,” Stewart concluded.

Sheriff Tim Fuller prayed for the military, firemen, police, emergency medical services and medical personnel in the community and the nation.

Fuller reminded the congregation to keep these service men and women in their prayers because their daily duties can be quite difficult, both personally and on their families.

The WCA band and chorus then played and sang a number of songs for the audience.

Pastor Johnson led a prayer for families.

“The Lord holds families near and dear, and so should we,” he said. “Our prayer is for families to be preserved the way the Lord intended.”

Johnson further prayed by saying: “Though we face challenges, we believe good things are in store. We pray for those who do not know you, Lord, come to find you in their hearts.”

Jeff Pennington with WZYX Radio provided a prayer for the media.

“Our world is divided in so many ways. Please give the media the opportunity to communicate better with each other and to make the world a better place,” he said.

Carlie Gaby, with Hall Furniture, led a prayer for businesses.

“Guide businesses and their owners and provide for them in uncertain times. Give them wisdom and trust in you,” she began, then reading a scripture from Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed.”

Gaby asked that the businesses operate with honesty and integrity and treat others with respect and kindness.

Closing comments were led by Pastor Johnson.

“Where two or more are gathered together, he is present. Well, we have a whole host gathered together here today,” he said while referencing the audience gathered for the National Day of Prayer event.

A special thanks was given to Winchester Christian Academy, Big Al Productions, Dotson’s Produce, B&B Corner Stop LLC, Mot’s Shaved Ice and to everyone who participated in the event.