Day Of Prayer
“Pray for America” was the theme of the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer on May 2. And in Evansville, an crowd gathered at the Four Freedoms monument on the shore of the Ohio River to do just that.
The ceremony began with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem performed by choral performers from Evansville Mater Dei High School. Next Bishop Charles C. Thompson officially welcomed all in attendance on what turned out to be a sunny, windy afternoon in Downtown Evansville.
“As we gather here today,” Bishop Thompson said, “we remember that we pray with one voice, one mind and one heart to the one God who has created us and continues to provide us with the love that we need to carry forth the mission of justice and peace throughout the world.”
Bishop Thompson then turned the podium over to Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke who told the crowd that he feels and appreciates “the prayers that are uplifted on my behalf on a daily basis.” Mayor Winnecke read a Proclamation naming May 2 National Day of Prayer in the city of Evansville.
Mayor Winnecke was followed by a series of faith leaders, each of whom took a few minutes to introduce themselves and to offer a prayerful reflection in the tradition of their faith.
Rabbi Helen Bar-Yaacov from the Temple Adath B’nai Israel was first to speak. Her prayer focused on caring for the poorest among us, and “honoring those who have died in defense of our ideals.”
Next, Stephen Stanfill, president of the Evansville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, explained that everyone in attendance should be considered brothers and sisters since all share a common Father in heaven. His prayer focused on the gratitude that each one of us should have for the many blessings God has granted us.
Phil Hoy, pastor of Zion United Church of Christ in Henderson, Ky., was next. “Oh God, we thank you for a country in which we might gather freely and express our diversity,” Rev. Hoy said. He noted that even though the ceremony was being held at the foot of a monument dedicated to freedom, our society is still “not free from fear, and many of our citizens are not free from want.”
Rev. Hoy was followed by Mary McGregor, senior teacher at Mindful Heart Buddha Sangha in Evansville, who offered a reflection in the Buddhist tradition. McGregor referenced well-known Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, whose response to the question “what is going to happen (in the future)?” is “the answer is now.” McGregor invited everyone in attendance to join her in an exercise of breathing in and out while concentrating on the idea of peace.
Next to speak was Paul Linge, evangelism pastor at Crossroads Christian Church in Newburgh. “Our Heavenly Father, we reverently approach you today with grateful hearts, giving you thanks for this nation, giving you thanks for this unity,” said Linge, who also noted that we must approach God “with a heart of confession” and humbly ask for the wisdom needed to truly honor His name.
Rev. Linge was followed by Imam Abdul Wajid, director of the Islamic Society of Evansville, which actually is located in Newburgh. Wajid noted that our country had recently experienced a tragedy in Boston, and that the religion of Islam had “taken the blame” in many people’s minds. “Religion,” said Wajid, “calls you to be good to your neighbor, good to your coworker, good to patients, good to your customers, good to whoever is around you.” If any religion fails to do this, said Wajid, “then maybe it shouldn’t be called a religion; maybe it’s something else.”
Next, Tom Moor, chair of the worship committee for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Evansville, focused his remarks on hope. “Hope is not naïve, wishful thinking nor a sunny attitude,” said Moor. “Hope is not an answer, but because it stimulates the imagination, hope helps us to pose the right questions.”
Bishop Thompson then returned to the microphone to close the service with the following prayer:
O God, who arranges all things according to a wonderful design, graciously receive the prayer we pour out to you for our country. That through the wisdom of its leaders and the integrity of its citizens, harmony and justice may be assured and lasting prosperity come with peace.
O God, without beginning or end, the source of all creation, grant us the grace to live in accordance with your divine will for the sake of life, liberty and the pursuit of true happiness. Direct our minds and hearts to what is right and good for every member of society – both the rich and the poor, the young and the old, the brave and the timid, the strong and the weak, the powerful and the defenseless, the individual and the family, the strong of voice and the voices that have been silenced, undocumented, the believer and the unbeliever, those who love us and those who do not – that all may be one in you.
We humbly ask that you bless once again our great nation as well as all nations of the world, that your divine mercy may transform the human heart in order for virtue to prevail over sin and evil.
Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Bishop Thompson also shared this prayer at an evening Day of Prayer ceremony held at St. John the Baptist parish in Newburgh. Concelebrating at the evening service was St. John pastor Father Tom Kessler.
