(Cushing, Okla.) Approximately 150 citizens gathered together to pray for their nation and community in celebration of the 60th Annual National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 5, 2011.
A morning prayer service was held at the First Christian Church in Cushing. John O'Dell, State Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was the special speaker at the event. Thursday marked the 15th year that Cushing has held such a service in honor of the day.
"John O'Dell spoke at the very first one we held," said Denise Kinzie, organizer of the event. "We thought it was appropriate he would do it again for our 15th anniversary."
The Cushing Community Children's Choir presented the music and introduced themselves adding, "...and I pray."
Community leaders were asked to step forward to pray for various things such as the community, its leaders, families, the military, and educators.
Elsewhere in Cushing, schools held student-led prayers around the flag poles. A prayer service was also held at Linwood Village and the First Baptist Church opened its doors for people to come in and take a moment to say a prayer.
At noon on KUSH radio, Suzie Crowder read the 2011 National Prayer written by Joni Eareckson Tada, Honorary Chairman.
Here is that prayer:
Almighty God, you are our Mighty Fortress, our refuge and the God in whom we place our trust. As our nation faces great distress and uncertainty, we ask your Holy Spirit to fall afresh upon your people — convict us of sin and inflame within us a passion to pray for our land and its people. Grant the leaders of our country an awareness of their desperate need of wisdom and salvation in You until sin becomes a reproach to all and righteousness exalts this nation.
Protect and defend us against our enemies and may the cause of Christ always prevail in our schools, courts, homes, and churches. Lord God, send a spirit of revival and may it begin in our own hearts.
Remember America, we pray. Remember the foundations on which this country was built. Remember the prayers of our nation's fathers and mothers, and do not forget us in our time of need.
In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
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