Tuscarawas County gathers to pray at 20th anniversary commemorating National Day of Prayer

  • by Jennifer Kneuss
  • May 6, 2013
  • 323
                        
Summary: The National Day of Prayer was observed by local residents who gathered on the Tuscarawas County Courthouse Square on the evening of May 2 to pray on behalf of the nation and their communities and families. With the traditional Shofar horn sending out a resounding call to prayer across the courthouse square in New Philadelphia, the hundreds gathered for the May 2, 20th Tuscarawas County gathering to seek God on the National Day of Prayer. Organizer volunteer Joan Stiffler warmly welcomed the many gathered on an idyllic spring evening. “We are so glad, and so thankful, that all of you are here today,” she stated. Jerome James gave a stirring rendition of the National Anthem and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before turning the microphone over to Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhlm who read a proclamation from the commissioners declaring the observance of the Day of Prayer. Fellow commissioner Kerry Metgzer then spoke, quoting numerous United States presidents and their statements as to the importance of prayer and dependence on God as a nation throughout America’s history. Mark Murphy, Superintendent of Tuscarawas Valley Schools, was the guest speaker for the event. “I know everyone would expect me to speak on the importance and power of prayer. But I feel God wants me to talk about the significance of proper perspective…and how a proper perspective and view of God should drive me to my knees and ultimately direct my prayers. A proper perspective of who God is, in relationship to who I am, should compel me to not only PRAY, but to ACT in obedience to what God is calling me to BE and DO,” Murphy said. He noted seeing a tattoo of a friend recently, reading ‘HE>I’. Although I’m generally not enamored by lots of ink on one’s body, I was immediately drawn to the significance of this simple, yet profound statement. And then I reflected…this friend of mine is being very intentional about reminding himself to maintain a right view of God. “Without saying a word, I wondered, do I really live my life with this perspective—all the time? Or do I sometimes get this equation out of whack. Perhaps…even unintentionally, I reduce God to less than He really is, so that the lower case “i” can assume greater control? How about you? What is your view of God?” Murphy quoted theologian A.W. Tozer: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Murphy continued. “Psalm 91, a scripture that gives assurance and confidence that can only come from God, says, “Because he loves me” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Wow! ‘HE>i’ Not just ink inscribed on a friend’s forearm. It is a proper perspective that gives life, purpose, and security in a troubled, broken world.,,So, as we celebrate this National Day of Prayer, let us be like Paul who committed himself to fulfilling Christ’s purpose in his life as he wrote in I Corinthians 4:26: “I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.” Why? “The Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” During the almost two hour gathering, there was a time of concurrent Scripture readings by at least a hundred individuals of the book of Proverbs and the Gospels. Prayers were offered up on behalf of the government, churches, military, families, education, the media, and businesses by area dignitaries and pastors. A time of communion was also observed. Said James, who also sang beautiful renditions of King Jesus, Great is Thy Faithfulness, and The Lord’s Prayer, “It is important for us to get together here as one group, not individual churches, to praise Him and give Him all the glory.”


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