57th annual National Day of Prayer in Santa Paula

By Susan Branham Santa Paula TimesSanta Paula joined the rest of the nation in observing the 57th annual National Day of Prayer in May. The evening Community Prayer Gathering was presented by the SPIRIT of Santa Paula at Life Way Baptist Church. Life Way Pastor Bob Walpole welcomed participants from churches throughout Santa Paula for this year’s service, themed “Prayer! America’s Strength and Shield.”“We’re delighted that you’re here,” he told the assembled crowd. “If ever Christians need to get together to pray, it is now. During times like this we need an anchor, a rock.” He told the congregation of the long tradition of the National Day of Prayer. A National Day of Prayer was finally made official by an Act of Congress in 1952, he explained.Pastor Mike Harris of West Coast Fellowship prayed for current individuals serving in government, asking for God’s wisdom and blessing on their behalf. “We thank you for the leaders of this great country,” he said.Pastors and lay persons delivered prayers for various organizations and individuals. Father Charles Lueras of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church lead the prayers for family. “We’ve gotten together as members of the human family, and members of the divine family.” he observed. “The family is where prayer begins.”Frank Osuna of Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 prayed for those serving in the military. “We pray to honor the men and women who have served our country,” he said. “We pray for those missing in action. We pray for those serving in the armed forces, protect them from harm’s way.”